Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1291. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by her Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. [16291/21]
View answerI understand from my officials that it is possible for persons to make payments to my Department in a number of ways, and that there were a small number of fees in 2020 which were paid by Electronic Funds Transfer, postal order and cheque.
Furthermore, I understand that my officials in the Immigration Service Delivery function of the Department are currently operating online payments in the following areas:
1. Atypical Work Scheme.
2. Registration Fees - Online Registration Renewal System.
3. Citizenship Certificate Fees.
Looking to the future, there are plans in place to develop a fully digital customer centric immigration service, including the continued roll out of online payment platforms for various processing/application fees.
As the Deputy may be aware, I commit to delivering a fair immigration system for a digital age in Goal Four of the recently published Justice Action Plan 2021. Goal Four of the Justice Plan 2021 contains 6 objectives, and a timeline for relevant objectives and actions for 2021 are provided as follows:
- Publish a roadmap for the transition of all immigration services to online application processes by Q1;
- As part of a new ICT Strategy for the Department of Justice, publish a digital strategy for immigration by Q1; Begin accepting online payments for visa applications Q2 Immigration Service Delivery.
