Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

189. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when An Garda Síochána expects to complete the transfer of certain immigration functions to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42070/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recommended that certain administrative immigration functions should transfer from An Garda Síochána to the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of my Department. These included the registration and renewal of immigration permissions as well as functions at Dublin Airport.

Earlier this week I announced that all immigration permissions that are due to expire from 4 November onwards can be renewed using my Department’s ISD online portal. This represents the transfer of all immigration renewals from An Garda Síochána to my Department; in practice this means that people across the country will no longer be required to attend in person at their local Garda Station when they need to renew their immigration permission.

This follows on from the transfer of responsibility for the registration and renewal of immigration residence permission for residents of Kildare, Meath and Wicklow in March 2024 and Cork and Limerick in July 2024. The transfer of responsibility for the remaining nationwide first time in-person immigration registration functions is anticipated to be completed by early 2025.

Furthermore, with effect from January 2024, the Border Management Unit of my Department has taken on additional functions at Dublin airport in respect of initial processing of International Protection applicants.

Nationwide, over 100 Gardaí undertake immigration duties, including the registration and renewal of immigration permissions. Civilianising the registration functions and functions at Dublin airport releases valuable Garda hours to focus on operational and enforcement matters, such as deportations and investigations.