757. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the average delay in the processing of applications for long-term visas being sought by people seeking to move to this jurisdiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44761/24]

I can advise the Deputy that 173,363 visa applications were received to 29 October 2024 in the current year. In the same period in 2023, 142,789 applications were received. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to the same period in 2023, with 30,574 additional applications received.

The table below details the average processing times for Type C "short stay"  and Type D "long stay" visa applications and appeals between 01 September 2023 and 31 August 2024.

The visa system is an essential part of our immigration system and is a preclearance mechanism to determine who can travel to Ireland. All applications are subject to scrutiny and must be supported by documentation to be approved.

Applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.

Although the current processing times for long stay visa applications may vary across the different visa decision making centres globally, processing times are largely in line with the expected processing times published across the Immigration Service Delivery websites.

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has established a modernisation programme to transform its immigration operations to provide a modern, transparent system which is much more accessible and responsive to the public's needs.

The modernisation programme is restructuring the immigration system and will replace legacy information management systems, introducing a new single platform for immigration services. This platform is being delivered in phases and it will, over time, significantly improve customer service capacity.

On 24 October 2024,  my Department introduced a Digital Contact Centre (DCC) for our customers. The DCC allows individuals to log in and review the status of their immigration applications.

In its first phase, the DCC can be used to check the status of and raise queries in relation to Citizenship Applications, Visa Applications, Domestic Residence Permission Applications, EU Treaty Rights Applications and Travel Documents Applications.

My Department’s new platform can be accessed at the following link: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/

Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/

The date published on the above page is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may prevent the published processing date from advancing.

Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisions