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Visa Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Ceisteanna (153)

Noel Harrington

Ceist:

153. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide to an applicant a tracking service for all applications to his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department from members of the public for such items as visas, citizenship, residency and other applications processed by his Department similar to the passport applications tracking scheme processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12354/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

For the purpose of replying to the Deputy’s question it is assumed that he is referring to applications dealt with by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) which is by far the largest application processing area of my Department. Overall in 2013, approximately 166,000 new applications (i.e. visa, residence, protection and citizenship) were received by INIS and decisions were issued in almost 177,000 cases. In addition, some 97,000 new or renewed registrations of permission to remain in the State were issued by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Furthermore, the public offices of INIS and the Garda National Immigration Bureau receive in the region of 130,000 persons annually in respect of registration of non-EEA persons residing in the State and applicants seeking re-entry visas as well as callers seeking information or for other business.

The Deputy will appreciate from the above mentioned figures that the volume of applications dealt with by INIS is considerable. These comprise a broad range of application categories most of which are hugely complex and all of which are subject to oversight by the courts and have to be processed in accordance with a large body of Irish and international law. Therefore, due to the diverse and complex nature of applications processed by INIS, it very difficult to provide applicants with the precise status of their application at any given point in time. In many cases communication takes place through the applicant's legal advisor. However, where possible applicants are provided with as much information as is available and in some areas where it has been feasible tracking services appropriate to the type of application have been implemented.

In relation to visa applications which account for 90,000 applications, for example, such a service is already in place as part of the online application and tracking system known as AVATS (Automated Visa Application and Tracking System). Applicants are provided with a unique application number on completion of the online application form which can then be used to track progress on the application through the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service www.inis.gov.ie.

In the area of citizenship, when an application for a certificate of naturalisation is received, an acknowledgement letter is issued and applicants are also informed when their application successfully progresses to further stages of the process. Further letters are issued where additional information is required and, once all of the required information is received, the case is submitted to me for decision. Applicants are then informed of my decision on their application.

In other areas, for example general information on the expected timescale for processing applications is provided indicating the specific month of applications currently being processed. This provides a good indication to the applicant as to when their application will be dealt with. It should also be noted that INIS operates a number of helplines to provide information and advice to customers and the contact details and operating hours are published on the INIS website.

I am sure the Deputy will agree the main priority for INIS must continue to be the processing of cases as expeditiously as possible and, accordingly, the right balance must be found between providing application status information to applicants and the efficient processing of applications. That said, INIS is continually seeking to improve the quality of services provided to its applicants and the development of enhanced online immigration services generally is currently under review.

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