Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
746. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of immigration permissions renewed online following the transfer of functions from An Garda Síochána to his Department; the safeguards in place to prevent abuse by individuals with criminal records or failed asylum claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14143/26]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that, since 13 January 2025, all nationwide first-time registrations of Irish immigration residence permissions are the responsibility of the Registration Office of Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of my Department. Furthermore, since November 2024, all renewals of immigration permissions transferred to ISD and are done using my Department’s online platform, meaning that applicants from across the country no longer have to attend in person at their local Garda Station.
This implemented the recommendation regarding civilianisation of the Garda administrative immigration functions made in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. Prior to this transfer, over 100 Gardaí were assigned to immigration duties.
Building on this, and in keeping with the Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Customer Service Portal also went live in 2024. The Portal is a self-service portal that enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries.
120,393 immigration permissions were renewed online in 2023. 173,954 permissions were renewed online in 2024, and 232,520 immigration permissions were renewed online in 2025. These figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
I can assure the Deputy that there is, and always has been, robust verification measures in place for online registration renewals.
Based on an applicants immigration stamp type, they are required to supply a comprehensive list of documentation, as well as pay a €300 registration fee in most cases.
All documents submitted are checked and validated by officials in my Department for each online renewal application. If there are concerns regarding a renewal application, officials may arrange for an in-person renewal to assess original copies of documents before completing the application.
If ISD become aware that someone has presented fraudulent documentation relating to their online renewal, then ISD will investigate each individual case accordingly.
Further information on the renewal process as well as the list of documents required for each stamp type are available on the ISD website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-register-your-immigration-permission-for-the-first-time/required-documents/
