Residency Permits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 May 2024

Thursday, 2 May 2024

Questions (197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 208, 210, 217)

Patrick Costello

Question:

197. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice when the review of the Irish residence permit card fee will be completed; and if a reduction on these fees is anticipated for Budget 2025. [20231/24]

David Stanton

Question:

198. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is currently conducting a review of the fee structure of the Irish Residence Permit card; if so, when she expects this review to be completed; if she anticipates any change in the current fee this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20223/24]

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

199. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice when the review of the Irish Residence Permit card fee will be completed; if a reduction on these fees is anticipated for Budget 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20209/24]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when the review of fees for the IRP cards will be completed; if a reduction on these fees is anticipated this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20277/24]

James Lawless

Question:

201. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice when the review of the Irish Residence Permit card fee will be completed; if a reduction on these fees is anticipated soon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20453/24]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

202. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice when the review of the Irish residence permit card fee will be completed; if a reduction on these fees is anticipated for this year’s Budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20513/24]

Holly Cairns

Question:

208. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice when the review of the IRP card fee will be completed; and if a reduction on these fees is anticipated for Budget 2025. [19993/24]

Pa Daly

Question:

210. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice when the review of the IRP card fee will be completed; and if a reduction on these fees is anticipated for Budget 2025. [20004/24]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

217. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice when the review of the Irish residence permit card fee will be completed and if a reduction of the fees is anticipated for this year’s budget. [20089/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 208, 210 and 217 together.

Section 9 of the Immigration Act 2004 provides that a register of non-nationals who have permission to be in the State (in general for a period of 3 months or longer) shall be established and maintained by registration officers. It also provides that a non-national is required to pay a fee to the registration officer for the issue of a registration certificate. This fee is set by regulations made by the Minister for Justice with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card provides the customer with a secure immigration document including individual biometrics indicators protected by a sophisticated encryption system and showing the holders’ immigration status in the State. This high quality secure document is easily recognisable for employers and Government agencies alike. It certifies that a person is legally registered with the Irish immigration authorities and provides details of the immigration permission held. Once a person has an in-date IRP card, there is no requirement to apply for a re-entry visa, should one be required, when returning to the State after a short period abroad.

It is normal practice throughout EU Member States to charge a fee for immigration services.

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 standard registration fee of €300 payable by an applicant is designed to reflect the full effort and cost, beyond the physical cost of producing the card itself, in processing registrations. This includes, among other things, the significant staffing costs incurred by my Department and An Garda Síochána, the costs associated with the public offices at which the activity is carried out and the costs of information technology associated with the registration system. The card represents the final element of what may have been a lengthy and complex consideration by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of the immigration request by the applicant.

The Deputy may wish to note that a very significant Modernisation Plan is now underway in ISD to provide for a better immigration service to all applicants across our various programmes. There will be a move towards the maximum possible use of digitalisation and business process automation. There is a significant cost involved to the Department with the Modernisation Plan.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department is considering the complex issues involved in all matters relating to registration arrangements (including amounts, duration of permissions, the persons of whom registration is required and the current exemptions). In that context, the financial implications of any potential outcomes will be examined.

When that consideration is complete, Departmental officials will continue their engagement with relevant stakeholders to update them on progress.

Question No. 198 answered with Question No. 197.

Question No. 199 answered with Question No. 197.

Question No. 200 answered with Question No. 197.