Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
464. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware that there is a 15-16 week waiting time for IRP appointments in Limerick city; if there is a plan in place to deal with this significant backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9951/24]
View answerMy Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only.
An Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing outside of the Dublin area. I have no role in regard to the scheduling of these appointments.
I have been advised by an Garda Síochána that every effort is being made to reduce the waiting time at the Garda National Immigration Bureau office in Limerick . An additional Garda member has been assigned on a full-time basis since mid-January 2024. This brings the number of Immigration officers to 5 as well as a registration officer. An additional desk has been set up to allow extra registrations, which is expected to further reduce waiting times.
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 and a roadmap outlining the functions for transfer is being developed. This will set out the timeline for transfer of work relating to the nationwide registration and renewal (outside of Dublin) of residence permission and the renewal of such permission from An Garda Síochána to the Registration Office of my Department.
