Vol. 548 No. 3
191 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the operation of the aliens office in Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 and consider separating the processing of standard visa renewals; and if he will consider engaging a private sector analyst to examine queuing and processing procedures which might reduce the pressure on applicants and staff. [5041/02]
The operation of the immigration registration office in Harcourt Square has already been the subject of a review by the Garda commissioner in consultation with officials from the immigration and citizenship division of my Department with a view to responding to the dramatic and unprecedented increase in the number of non-nationals seeking to register or renew their permission to remain. The extent of that increase is illustrated by the figures for persons processed at that office in the years 2000 and 2001 – 26,641 and 56,510 respectively. Initiatives already undertaken include: very significant additional resources; longer opening hours; computerisation of the registration process, and; streamlining of operating procedures.
The streamlining of operating procedures includes less frequent attendance by certain spouses of Irish nationals for the purpose of registration or permission to remain in the State. In many cases such persons are now only required to register or renew their permission to remain every five years. It should be borne in mind however that a non-EEA national does not enjoy an automatic entitlement to reside in the State simply by virtue of his or her marriage to an Irish national. Different considerations may apply for example where such a non-EEA national entered Ireland illegally, overstayed his or her original permission to enter the State or has been involved in criminal activity.
Further additional resources are currently being deployed to the immigration registration office in Harcourt Square and negotiations are taking place with the relevant trade union representatives with a view to introducing a shift system for civilian staff. This will facilitate a further extension of opening hours and will eliminate the need for queuing at the immigration registration office.
Work is already underway in relation to further initiatives. The Office of Public Works has purchased new and far larger accommodation for the registration office, which will be ready for occupation later this year. The intention is that the new accommodation will provide a one stop shop for legally resident non nationals in the Dublin area as it will also accommodate the immigration and citizenship division of my Department together with the visa office in the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is intended that this initiative will further facilitate the streamlining of operating procedures.
