Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
433. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice how many people nationally are on a waiting list for renewal of their Irish residence permit (formerly GNIB); if the Department considers this a delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7928/24]
View answerThe Registration Office, which is part of Immigration Service Delivery in Burgh Quay, is responsible for first time registrations and the renewal of immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only.
Appointments for first-time registration are booked via a dedicated appointments service and are normally available within 1 week, depending on seasonal demands. There is no waiting list involved. Applications for renewal of permissions are now being processed for those submitted in the week commencing 29 January 2024. This processing date is advertised on the Immigration Service Delivery website and regularly updated.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) has responsibility for the first time registration and renewal of Irish immigration residence permissions for persons residing outside of the Dublin area. The responsibility rests with local Superintendents or the relevant Detective Superintendent. The deployment of Gardaí in this regard is an operational matter for the Garda authorities.
The waiting time for appointments outside of Dublin is dependent on the demand for registrations in each office, and fluctuates based on seasonal demands and other factors.
I am advised by an Garda Síochána that the requested information is not readily available and would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile.
It should be noted that all applications for renewal of residence permission in the State, including when changing stamp category, are accepted up to 12 weeks prior to expiry to allow sufficient time for processing.
The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) recommended that immigration administrative functions should transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to the Department of Justice. My Department and An Garda Síochána have engaged intensively on the scope of immigration operations to transfer to the Department. A roadmap is being developed to plan for the future transfer of work relating to the nationwide registration and renewal of residence permissions (outside of Dublin) from An Garda Síochána to the Immigration Service Delivery in my Department.
