In 2023, the Department of Justice acquired a record high of over €71 million from the issuance of migrant registration cards. This indicated a significant increase of €18 million, marking a 34% rise from the previous year. Each year, non-EU individuals and their families must pay a registration fee to reside in Ireland. For those aged 18 and over, the cost of the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card is €300, applicable to both new registrations and renewals. Producing and delivering each card, however, has an approximate cost of only €20.50 to the state.
Lijie Shao, spokesperson for the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) fair fees campaign, declared the fee to be exorbitant, creating a vast negative effect on individuals’ lives. Despite assurances from Justice Minister Helen McEntee in June that the IRP fee would be under review by March 2024, no changes have been implemented as of May.
The registration fee, which saw a two-fold increase as an austerity measure in 2012, has generated €318 million for the state over a decade, until 2023. These figures, along with the production costs, were revealed in response to parliamentary inquiries. When compared internationally, this fee is notably steep. In Greece, a comparable card costs €16, and in Austria, it’s €20. The fee is higher in Switzerland at €42, and in Luxembourg, it amounts to €80.
Kareshma Sookharry, a member of the Fair Fees group and a Mauritian catering assistant, has found the financial burden of the IRP card challenging as a single mother. She stated she often had to forgo basic necessities to afford it, noting the IRP card fees consistently leave her struggling financially, in conjunction with costs such as rent, groceries, childcare, medical bills and supporting her parents.
Neil Bruton, the campaigns manager at MRCI, described the process of procuring an IRP card as straightforward and cost-effective, mirroring the ease and affordability of passport renewal. The average cost of a 10-year passport stands at €75, while a driving licence typically costs €55, applicable for both initial applications and renewals, and lasts for a decade. However, the annual cost of an IRP card is noticeably steeper. Lowering these costs, Bruton articulated, will illustrate Ireland’s appreciation for the students, workers, and families who settle here, and contribute significantly to our communities.