I am fully aware of the issue referred to by the Deputy. Re-entry visas are processed by Re-entry Visa Public Office of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). The Public office processes over 60,000 re-entry visa applications a year. The Public Office normally offers a fast, efficient service and deals with everyone who calls into the office on any given day. However, the last few weeks has seen an unprecedented surge in business and there have been more callers to the office every day than the office can cope with. As result the Public office has had to turn people away.
As an alternative it is open to persons requiring a re-entry visa to apply by post. Applicants are encouraged to make a postal application rather than calling to the office.
While the problem was not caused by industrial action, measures to deal with the problem were affected by the work to rule operated by the Union for the clerical staff concerned. This work to rule has now been suspended and my Department have taken additional steps to deal with the unprecedented spike in demand, including the assignment of additional staff into the relevant office. It is anticipated that the action taken by my Department will result in the gradual return to normal service for this office over the next few days.
