Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 March 2022
165. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of registrations that the Ashbourne Garda immigration office is processing each week; the wait times for appointments; the current backlog in registration for the Ashbourne office; and the opening hours of this office. [15225/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, registrations for people living outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.
The Deputy will appreciate that the processing of these registrations is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. The Garda authorities have advised me that in 2021, in Ashbourne immigration office a total of 2,205 people were registered, an average of 42 people a week.
I am further advised that wait times are currently 10 days and that there is no backlog of people seeking appointments.
An Garda Síochána have informed me that opening hours for appointments are between 7am and 7pm and also evening appointments between 4pm and 11 pm. The Ashbourne office is not operated on Monday – Friday office hours and as a consequence appointments are often given on Saturdays, Sundays and evenings.
