Limerick gardai freed up for frontline duties as immigration duties are 'transferred'

The transfer of immigration administrative responsibilities to a government department is set to free up more gardai for frontline duties in Limerick.

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee has announced that from July 8, responsibility for immigration administrative functions in Limerick will transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to the Registration Office of the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of the Department of Justice.

These functions include first-time registrations and renewals of Irish immigration residence permission for non EU/EEA/UK/Swiss nationals residing in Limerick and Cork

From July 8, registrations for individuals living in these counties will be registered at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin.

Applications for renewal of permission can be submitted using the Immigration Service Delivery online renewal portal, removing the requirement for individuals to attend in-person appointments.

Welcoming this announcement, Minister McEntee said she is “committed to pursuing all opportunities to civilianise administrative functions within An Garda Síochána, in line with the recommendation contained in the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland report."

READ ALSO: Resilient boy with leukaemia has Limerick hurlers in his corner

“Nationwide, over 100 Gardaí 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 transfer of registration functions for counties Cork and Limerick represents an important step forward in this effort,” added Ms McEntee.

Approximately 80% of all national registrations and renewals have now transferred from An Garda Síochána to the Department of Justice.

The GNIB will continue to undertake these responsibilities for people living outside of Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Cork and Limerick until the final transfers of registration responsibilities to the Department of Justice take place.

This is anticipated to be completed in early 2025.