Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1079. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice to provide an explanation for the lack of review and adjustment of the IRP card fee since 2012, despite the considerable disparity between the cost to the State and the fee charged to migrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37322/23]
View answer1080. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will justify the current fee structure for the IRP card, particularly considering that most European countries offer similar services at notably lower costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37323/23]
View answer1081. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is considering any initiatives to reduce the burden of IRP card fees on migrants, making the process more affordable and equitable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37324/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1079 to 1081, inclusive, together.
The current registration fee has remained unchanged since 2012, and is subject to a range of exemptions insofar as certain groups of applicants are concerned. The registration fee is intended to reflect the effort and costs involved in processing registrations, over and above the physical cost of production of each card and, importantly, the need to continue to invest in measures to improve and modernise the services provided to applicants.
In the last twelve months, a Modernisation team has been established in Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), charged with delivering my Department’s stated, and published, objective of a fair immigration system for a digital age. This ambitious programme of modernisation is aimed at improving the service we provide to customers and requires significant ongoing financial investment.
A modernised Immigration Service will offer a fully online service for our customers (as well as access for those who are unable to engage online). The service will include a portal allowing users to save applications and communications. The service will also facilitate integration with commonly used third-party services (for instance, payment services). When delivered, ISD’s service will have minimised the need to submit printed applications or other documentation, will have reduced processing time and increased the quality of service offered to applicants and their families.
This approach is building on ISD’s current digital offering, including the online registration renewals process in the Dublin region and the 2021 launch of the new Irish Immigration website. The number of customers using the website, and using its automatic translation service (the site is offered in 14 languages), is encouraging. Additionally, most ISD applications forms which do not require the user to be physically present (for, e.g. fingerprinting) are now available online and more will be available in the coming months.
As well as improving operational efficiency, my Department is committed to improving the service we provide to our customers. In the last few months, we have launched a centralised customer service function: this unit is now addressing almost half of all in-bound queries, and their capacity (and digital capability) is due to be further enhanced in the coming months. We have also introduced the Freephone appointment booking service; addressing a significant customer concern around access to appointments.
I can inform you that it is my Department’s intention to take stock of registration and renewal arrangements in general. This will include consideration of the duration of permissions, range of persons in respect of whom registration is required, range of current exemptions and fee structures. It is anticipated that this exercise will be carried out in Quarter 1 of 2024. A change in the level of fees is a matter which would have to be decided in the context of the estimates process.
In the course of implementing this programme of change and modernisation, my Department will engage with and keep all stakeholders fully updated on progress.
