Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 332 together.

My Department regularly consults and engages with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, among other key sectoral stakeholders, in relation to the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students.

A non-EEA student who has completed their studies in Ireland and gained an award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or above may qualify for a Stamp 1G for a period of 12 months and an individual who receives an award at Level 9 NFQ may qualify for a Stamp 1G for up to 24 months subject to the overall limit of 8 years.

The additional period of residence on the Stamp 1G immigration permission is designed to provide the graduate with an opportunity to obtain graduate level employment and to provide any prospective employer with the opportunity to make an application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an employment permit, before the expiry of the Stamp 1G permission. If the application for an employment permit is successful, the applicant can register their permit and will be granted a Stamp 1 immigration permission and be allowed to remain in the State. If unsuccessful, the student is required to make arrangements to leave the State.

The conditions attaching to all immigration permissions for non-EEA students are kept under ongoing review by my Department. There are currently no plans to alter the existing arrangements in this area.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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An Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA/UK nationals residing outside of the Dublin area. This applies for all categories of registrations and renewals. The waiting time for appointments outside of Dublin is dependent on the demand for registrations in each office, and fluctuates based on seasonal demands and other variations. I have no role in regard to the scheduling of these appointments.

My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only.

The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) recommended that immigration administrative functions should transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to the Department of Justice. My Department and An Garda Síochána have engaged intensively on the scope of immigration operations to transfer to the Department and a roadmap outlining the functions for transfer is currently being finalised.