From 8 July 2024, the registration office of the immigration service delivery (ISD) of the Department of Justice will have responsibility for first-time registrations and renewals for non-EU/EEA/UK/Swiss nationals residing in the two counties.

Following the transfer, around 80 per cent of all national registrations and renewals will have transferred from An Garda Síochána to the Department of Justice.

The civilianisation of the immigration residence permission registration process was recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland in 2018.

In 2023, there were some 10,000 first registrations and 22,000 renewals of permission carried out by gardaí in Cork and Limerick.

From 8 July 2024, first-time registrations for applicants residing in Cork and Limerick will be required to register their immigration permission at the registration office located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. Appointments can be booked by phone to 1800 800 630 between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.

Applicants residing in Cork and Limerick will be able to renew their immigration permissions online from 8 July 2024 and will not need to attend the Burgh Quay registration office or their local Garda station in person.

Justiec minister Helen McEntee said: “I am 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.

“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.

“My Department is working to modernise its immigration processes and provide more efficient services for customers.

“Individuals in Cork and Limerick will now be able to renew their immigration permissions online, thereby removing the requirement for customers in these counties to attend in person appointments.”

The Department of Justice said it anticipates that the nationwide transfer of registration functions “can be substantively completed by early 2025”.