As the Deputy is aware, this once in a generation scheme was designed to give long-term undocumented residents the opportunity to regularise their status, access the labour market legally and begin their path to citizenship. It has provided an opportunity for those who meet its criteria to remain and reside in the State and to become part of mainstream Irish society rather than living on its margins.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that 84% of all applications under this hugely successful and impactful scheme have been processed since it opened last year.
In total, 6,548 applications were submitted in respect of 8,311 people under the scheme. Of these 5,654 (86%) were Single Applications and 894 (14%) Family Applications. As of 06 June 2023, 4,545 applications have been granted, 900 applications have been refused, and 108 applications have been withdrawn by the applicants for various reasons.
The remaining applications are in the main more complex cases and it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for when all cases will be finalised, although every effort is being made to do so without undue delay. Each application received is assessed individually in accordance with the published criteria, available on my Department's immigration website.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the complexity of applications, whether it is a single or family application, the supporting documentation, the vetting process with An Garda Síochána, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of my Department to seek further information, and the resources available.
