In a glaring revelation, the Department of Justice stands accused of charging exorbitant fees for migrant registration cards, reaping a staggering €71 million in just one year. While the card costs a mere €20.50 to produce, migrants in Ireland are burdened with a hefty €300 fee, irrespective of whether it’s their first-time registration or renewal.
Comparatively, other European countries charge significantly lower fees, with Austria and Greece levying fees as low as €20 and €16 respectively. Despite promises from Justice Minister Helen McEntee to review the fees, no action has been taken since last June. The Minister had even pledged to address the issue following a petition signed by 14,000 people and assurances from thousands more through the Irish Malayali News campaign.
Non-EU migrants, aged 18 and above, are obligated to pay the same excessive fee annually for their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, adding further financial strain. Despite calls for a reduction, the fee remains unjustly high, overshadowing Minister McEntee’s unfulfilled promises and the growing demand for fairness in migrant registration costs.