Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
879. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the efforts undertaken to ameliorate the issue of electronic bulk booking of slots for INIS appointments; the extent to which the issue has been addressed; and if further efforts are required. [41695/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware that there have been issues in the past around the securing of registration appointments and a set of software fixes were introduced in late 2018, designed to prevent such abuses of the system. The new measures have been successful to date in preventing the block booking of appointments by third party agents.
However, some third party agents continue to provide appointment booking services in return for payment on the basis that the person provides them with their personal details in advance. My Department strongly advises against this practice of providing sensitive and personal data to unregulated and unknown third parties.
Customers should continue to apply directly for appointments as they become available without charge through the online system at: burghquayregistrationoffice.inis.gov.ie.
A tender has also recently been awarded for a new Immigration Service appointment and scheduling system which will streamline and further improve the registration process. The new system is expected to be in place in the next month or so.
