Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
620. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if there will be a new scheme in the future to regularise the situation for undocumented persons already in the country but who are here for less than four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8442/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to open the landmark Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme for applications on 31 January. Applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July, when the scheme will close.
This once-in-a-generation scheme is designed to give long-term undocumented people without a current permission to remain in the State, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship.
Almost 2,000 applications have been received so far. This is a very positive start and I encourage anyone who may be eligible to apply.
The criteria for the scheme have been designed in line with the Programme for Government commitment, which is to bring forward a regularisation scheme to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents. The period of four years undocumented residence, or three years in the case of applicants with children, is consistent with this commitment and has been approved by Government. This is a once-off, time bound scheme that is expected to benefit thousands of undocumented people living in Ireland. There are no plans to introduce any other scheme or to extend the criteria.
The international protection strand of the scheme opened for applications on 7 February 2022 and applications will be accepted for six months until 7 August 2022. This separate strand allows international protection applicants who have an outstanding application for international protection and have been in the asylum process for a minimum of two years to apply. My Department has recently written to 4,000 potentially eligible applicants inviting them to apply.
If a person is resident in the State without permission and does not meet the terms of the published schemes, I encourage them to contact my Department or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their status. Any application submitted should explain their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and provide any documentation they feel will support their application.
Following receipt of such an application a full consideration of all aspects of their case will be carried out before a decision is made to grant permission to remain in the State or to make a Deportation Order. This will include a consideration of their private and family life rights, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.
In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally. A pragmatic approach is taken in relation to each case, which is considered on its individual merits.
