Residency Permits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023

Tuesday, 11 July 2023

Questions (475, 476, 484, 488, 489, 496, 534, 536, 538)

Pa Daly

Question:

475. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice her views on the current cost of the Irish residence permit card; her plans to change this fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33540/23]

Patrick Costello

Question:

476. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will reduce the Irish residence permit card fee of €300 for nearly every non-EU person over the age of 18 years, to a more appropriate rate (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33541/23]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

484. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider reducing the cost of the Irish residence permit card from the arbitrary fee of €300 to a fee aligned with the cost of production and administration in Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33754/23]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

488. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice if she will review and significantly reduce the cost of the Irish residence card, in view of the cost-of-living crisis, high accommodation costs and the reliance of key sections of the Irish economy on workers who need to carry the card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33791/23]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

489. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice if she will engage with two entities (details supplied) to understand the impact of the €300 fee for the Irish residence permit. [33792/23]

Holly Cairns

Question:

496. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if her Department would consider the reduction of the fees for the Irish residence permit card for migrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33876/23]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

534. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice her plans to reduce the cost of Irish residency permit cards; to outline the reason for charging €300 on an annual basis for such cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34292/23]

David Stanton

Question:

536. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice if she has considered reducing the cost associated with the registration for, and the renewal of, an Irish residence permit card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34296/23]

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

538. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider reducing the cost of an Irish residence permit card which costs €300 for virtually all non-EU persons over the age of 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34340/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 475, 476, 484, 488, 489, 496, 534, 536 and 538 together.

I can inform the Deputy that the standard registration fee of €300 payable by an applicant is designed to reflect the effort and cost, above and beyond the cost of producing the card itself, in processing registrations. An applicant is exempted from the fee if they:

- Have refugee status

- Have subsidiary protection status

- Have leave to remain under Section 49 of the International Protection Act 2015

- Are under 18

- Are resident based on your marriage to an Irish citizen

- Are a family member of an EU citizen

The Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, granted following a successful registration, certifies that a person is legally registered with the Irish immigration authorities and provides details of the immigration permission held, for example a Stamp 1 or 4, etc. In addition where a person has an in date IRP card, there is no requirement to apply for a re-entry visa when returning to the State after a short period abroad.

The Registration Office of my Department also provides an online renewals portal that speeds up the renewal process and a customer service team that is available to support customers.

The cost of registration has not increased since 2012; however, the fee structure is kept under ongoing review by my Department.

Question No. 476 answered with Question No. 475.