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Which ministry has overall responsibility? Department of Justice and Equality
The remit of the Department includes the security of the State, the protection of life and property, the prevention and detection of crime, maintaining and promoting fairness and equality, overseeing services for the buying and selling of property, developing the Insolvency Service of Ireland, managing inward migration to the State, providing a Courts Service, various other regulatory services and updating our criminal and civil laws.

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) is a division of the Department of Justice and Equality. It is responsible for administering functions in relation to asylum, visas, immigration, repatriation, citizenship and integration matters.

The Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration is a division of the Department of Justice and Equality. It has a cross-Departmental mandate to develop, lead and co-ordinate migrant integration policy across other Government Departments, agencies and services. Its functions include the promotion of the integration of legal immigrants into Irish society, the establishment of new structures for this purpose, the coordination of Ireland’s international reporting requirements relating to racism and integration, the management of the resettlement of refugees admitted as part of the United Nations Resettlement Programme and the administration of funding from national and EU sources to promote integration.

Are there other ministries involved? Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation ensures that the Irish labour market policy responds to changing skills needs and prioritises investment that promotes better jobs, lifelong learning and social inclusion. The Department is the only body authorised to issue employment permits.
Employment Permits Section
The Employment Permits Section processes applications for employment permits.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Department of Foreign Affairs promotes Ireland's political and economic interests in the EU and in the wider world. It aims to protect Irish citizens abroad and pursues reconciliation and partnership on the island of Ireland. Applications for visas from persons who are residing abroad are lodged at embassies and consulates abroad, using an on-line Visa Application System, AVATS. Overall responsibility for visa policy rests with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

What are the implementing agencies?

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Employment Services operate a recruitment database for jobseekers. A network of local Employment Services offices within the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection offer information and advice on employment opportunities and training courses.

Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB)
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is part of An Garda Síochána, Ireland's national police force. The GNIB carries out registration of non-EEA citizens, border controls, deportations and investigations related to irregular migration and trafficking of human beings.

International Protection Office

The International Protection Office is responsible for processing applications for international protection under the International Protection Act 2015. It also considers, as part of a single procedure process, whether applicants should be given permission to remain. The IPO comprises, inter alia, a chief international protection officer and international protection officers who are independent in the performance of their international protection functions.

The Office of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal

The Office of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal decides appeals of those persons whose application for International Protection status has not been recommended by the International Protection Office. The Tribunal also determines appeals under the Dublin System Regulations.

Are there general immigration policy papers?

Arnold, S., Quinn, E., Groarke, S., McGinnity, F. and Durst, C.  Policy and practice targeting the labour market integration of non-EU nationals in Ireland. (ESRI, 2019)

Groarke, S., and Durst, C., Attracting and retaining international higher education students: Ireland (ESRI, 2019)

Sheridan, A. Annual Report on Migration and Asylum 2017: Ireland. (ESRI, 2018)

Gusciute, E., Quinn E., and Barrett A., Determining Labour and Skills Shortages and the Need for Labour Migration in Ireland (ESRI, 2015)

Gusciute, E., Quinn E., and Barrett A., Business Migration to Ireland (ESRI 2015)

Quinn, E. and Gusciute, E., Attracting Highly Qualified and Qualified Third-Country Nationals: Ireland (ESRI, 2013)

Are there impact assessments, studies and reports available?

McGinnity, F., Grotti. R., Russell, H., and Fahey, E.,  Attitudes to Diversity in Ireland (ESRI, 2019)

McGinnity, F., Grotti. R., Groarke, S., and Coughlan, S., Ethnicity and nationality in the Irish labour market (ESRI 2018)

McGinnity, F., Fahey, E., Quinn, E., Arnold, S., Maître, B., and O’Connell, P., Monitoring report on integration (ESRI 2018)

Feldman, A., et al., Getting On: From Migration to Integration (2008, ICI)

What is the key legislation?

International Protection Act 2015

Employment Permits (Amendment) Act 2014

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011

Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (No.2) Order 2011 (No. 345 of 2011).

European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (No. 2) Regulations 2006

European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (Amendment) Regulations 2008

Employment Permits Act 2006 (No. 16 of 2006)

Immigration Act 2004 (No. 1 of 2004)

Immigration Act 2003 (No. 26 of 2003)

Employment Permits Act 2003 (No. 7 of 2003)

Immigration Act 1999 (No. 22 of 1999)

Refugee Act 1996 (No. 17 of 1996)

Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1956 - 2004 (No. 26 of 1956; No. 38 of 2004)

Aliens Act 1935 (No. 14 of 1935), 10 April 1935 (Aliens Act).

Access Irish law online

What are the national scientific research and statistical offices on immigration? Central Statistics Office Ireland