Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2022
183. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 332 of 22 March 2022, the number of applications for the undocumented migrants' scheme that have been received to date; the number that have been approved to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28213/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department opened the once-in-a generation scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants in the State on 31 January 2022 for a six month period. The scheme is designed, following detailed engagement with the people affected, to give long-term undocumented people without a current immigration permission the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship.
The scheme genuinely is a once-off, life-changing opportunity to obtain status in the State. I encourage everyone eligible for the scheme, who has not yet made an application, to do so before the closing date. I can assure people that we are examining applications pragmatically and humanely and we are considering all viable proofs of residence.
If the Deputy is aware of someone who might be eligible for the scheme please encourage them to come forward. Applicants will be supported in a positive way and if they are not eligible for the scheme, other immigration options can be explored.
To publicise the scheme, my Department recently commenced a targeted social medial ad campaign across all of the main social media platforms directed at the top 10 nationalities eligible under the scheme in their own native languages. This campaign will run until the scheme closes at the end of July and further targeted communications will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
As of 30 May 2022, my Department has received 4,821 applications in respect of 6,152 people under the scheme and has issued 935 positive decisions so far. Processing of all other applications remains ongoing. These figures relate to the main strand of the Scheme and not the international protection element, which is being processed separately by the International Protection Office of my Department.
Applications can be made online at: https://inisonline.jahs.ie.
Full details regarding the qualifying criteria, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and the required documentation for the Scheme is available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/regularisation-of-long-term-undocumented-migrant-scheme/.
The International Protection Office of my Department has written to approximately 4,000 potentially eligible applicants inviting them to apply. This strand of the scheme is open for applications until 7 August 2022. Further information can be found on the website of the IPO at: www.ipo.gov.ie/en/ipo/pages/whatsnew.
