Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
362. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider updating the published guidance and the notice to employers in relation to the processing of Irish residency permit renewal applications, to reflect that Stamp 4 renewals including change of status renewals from Stamp 1 to Stamp 4 are currently exceeding the 12 week processing timeline window; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50481/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra363. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the processing of Irish residency permit renewal applications, if consideration will be given to the recognition of imminent loss of employment as grounds for expediting the process, in view that the current expedite route is aimed at travel emergencies rather than the loss of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50483/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra374. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware that renewal IRP applications are taking approximately 15 weeks in processing; the efforts underway to reduce these timeframes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50711/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department is currently considering reintroducing the travel confirmation notice for those who have experienced administrative delays in the renewal of their Irish residence permit for the summer travel period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50735/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 362, 363, 374 and 375 together.
The Registration Office of my Department is currently experiencing an exceptionally high demand for first time registration appointments and immigration permission renewal applications.
I understand that the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I can assure the Deputy that my Department is exploring every avenue available to facilitate as many customers as possible and to increase processing capacity.
The Registration Office is open seven days a week to facilitate customers to process both first time registration appointments and online renewals. Additional staff have been assigned to this work, which has now begun to reduce the processing time for renewals. For certain categories of renewals, the processing time is now approximately 6 - 8 weeks from the time of initial application, with no category exceeding a wait time of 17 weeks.
The Registration Office provide a live application processing date broken down by stamp category, which is updated every Monday, and is available on the Immigration Service website at the following link: Renewing your registration permission if you live in the Republic of Ireland - Immigration Service Delivery (www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/) .
While my Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and peak application periods.
The Registration Office has issued a notice to employers regarding the legality of employing someone awaiting renewal. If an employee’s Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are unable to obtain a new one by the expiry date of their current IRP card, they are still legally permitted to remain in the State on their existing IRP card for a maximum of 12 weeks.
This is subject to the applicant submitting their renewal application prior to their current IRP card expiring and there are no plans to amend these provisions as suggested by the Deputy. Further information on this notice can be found here: www.irishimmigration.ie/notice-to-employers-regarding-employees-awaiting-renewal-of-their-irp-card/
In addition, customers may submit their renewal applications up to 12 weeks prior to expiry of permission, to allow sufficient time for an application to be reached and processed prior to a current permission expiring.
This provides a 24 week window for applicants to obtain a new IRP card.
The arrangements made for people awaiting a renewal of their IRP card who were intending to travel was initially in place until 31 January 2026, and was subsequently extended to the end of February 2026; this position is being kept under review but there are no current plans to reintroduce the travel notice.
It is also open to any person to request to have their renewal application expedited due to extenuating circumstances, and they can do so by contacting the Registration team of the Department via the Customer Service Portal. They will need to explain their circumstances and the urgent need to travel. All such requests are considered on a case by case basis.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at
www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
