Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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22. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will accede to requests for refugee status made by Afghan nationals who work for an Irish company based in Kabul, Afghanistan. [46696/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The current programmes through which Afghan nationals can re-locate to Ireland are the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, managed by the Department of Children, Equality Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs, and the family reunification and international protection programmes managed by the Department of Justice.  Last month I announced, together with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Minister of State for Law Reform, Youth Justice and Immigration, that places would be allocated to Afghan nationals under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.  The Refugee Protection Programme was created in 2015 as part of Ireland’s response to the migration crisis in central and southern Europe. It allows a predetermined number of vulnerable people in need of international protection to be granted refugee status in Ireland.

Approximately 370 places have been allocated to Afghan nationals under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and some 150 of those have arrived in Ireland.  Priority was given to those working on human rights issues, including the rights of women and girls, and minorities, as well as those working with NGOs and European and international organisations.  My colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth considers requests for refugee status.  My officials transmit requests received to his Department for consideration.