Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1373. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the additional resources that will be allocated to the visa application offices nationally to ensure any backlog of applications will be processed as quickly as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18164/21]
View answer1389. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to meet the backlog of registration for first time Garda national immigration bureau applicants; if she will consider increasing capacity to deal with the backlog in Dublin by giving functions to larger Garda stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18460/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1373 and 1389 together.
Due to the public health restrictions currently in place under Level 5 of the Government's Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to Covid-19, the Registration Office in Burgh Quay has been closed since 23 December 2020, until further notice.
To ensure that people do not fall out of permission during the Covid-19 pandemic, seven automatic extensions of immigration permissions have been provided, the most recent to 20 September 2021. The renewal of permission is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions attach.
The requirement to register an immigration permission in person, for those living in Dublin, will not arise until the Registration Office reopens in line with the Government’s Roadmap. First time registrations require the taking of biometric information (fingerprints) so it is not possible to do these registrations online.
When the Registration Office in Burgh Quay can safely reopen, consideration will be given to all options to deal with any pent up demand that exists, such as weekend opening. Staff within the Immigration Service can also be temporarily reassigned to those areas with the greatest need at any given time. However, any measures put in place will be in line with public health guidelines, as the safety of staff and customers alike are of paramount importance.
Customers residing in Dublin, who had appointments cancelled for a first-time registration and who provided a valid email address when making their appointment, will be contacted by the Immigration Service of my Department and given a new appointment date.
Registrations outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau through the Garda Station network. Information on the contact details for all the registration offices outside Dublin is available at: https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/reopening-of-registration-offices.html.
Further updates will be provided on the Immigration Service website when available at: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/COVID-19-updates-and-announcements.
