In a bid to modernise immigration process and free up Gardai for enforcement work, the Irish government has announced the transfer of immigration administrative functions in Cork and Limerick to the Department of Justice with effect from July 8.
Starting next month, first time registrations for individuals residing in Cork and Limerick will be registered at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin. As far as renewals are concerned, the applications can be submitted using the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) online renewal portal.
Until now, applicants residing in Cork and Limerick had to attend their local Garda station in person to renew their immigration permission. Last year, Gardai carried out around 10,000 first registrations and 22,000 renewals of permission in Cork and Limerick.
Commenting on the decision, Minister of Justice Helen McEntee said: “Individuals in Cork and Limerick will now be able to renew their immigration permissions online, thereby removing the requirement for customers in these counties to attend in person appointments.”
Minister McEntee said the move was in line with the recommendation contained in the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland report.
“Nationwide, over 100 Gardai have been assigned to immigration duties, including registration. Civilianising registration functions releases valuable Garda hours to focus on operational and enforcement matters, such as deportations and investigations.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), however, will continue to undertake first registrations and renewal of permission for persons residing outside of Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Cork and Limerick until the final transfers of registration responsibilities to the Department of Justice take place, which is expected to be completed in early 2025.
For more details, visit https://www.irishimmigration.ie/