295. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time for IRP renewals, by quarter, in each of the past three years and in 2026 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54649/26]

305. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to instances where first time buyers are prevented from drawing down on their mortgage due to IRP renewal delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53882/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 305 together.

The Registration Office of my Department continues to experience 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 utilising every avenue available to facilitate as many applicants as quickly 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, with significant additional staff assigned to this work. This is having an impact and wait times are reducing, and I expect times to reduce further over the summer months.

In the meantime, I can advise the Deputy that earlier this week I published an updated interim employer notice and a notice to facilitate customers travelling during the summer months to alleviate pressure on applicants while the Department continues to reduce the wait times.

Where 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 permitted to work and to remain in the State until 31 August 2026. This applies to all expired IRP cards regardless of the number of weeks elapsed, but is subject to the applicant submitting their renewal application prior to their current IRP card expiring. Further information on this notice can be found at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/minster-announces-interim-notice-to-employers-regarding-renewal-of-registration/

It is important to note that the existing Notice to Employers - www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/notice-to-employers/ - will continue to apply after 31 August 2026.

Furthermore, the previous travel arrangements made for people awaiting a renewal of their IRP card who intend to travel has been reinstated until 31 August 2026. People may use their recently expired IRP card to travel until the end of August 2026, provided an application to renew their registration permission was submitted in advance of the expiry date of their IRP Card. Further information can be found on the ISD website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/isd-announces-initiative-to-facilitate-customers-travelling-during-the-summer-months/

While the Registration Office endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times for each stamp category 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 objective is to reducing the timelines across all categories to more sustainable levels.

Information regarding average waiting times in previous years is not available, however the Registration Office provide a live application processing date broken down by stamp category, which is updated every Monday, and is available at the following link: 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/

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: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/

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.