Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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283. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider the plight of persons (details supplied) following the expiration of their visas in April; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11258/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the Afghan Admission Programme which was designed as a specific response to the situation in Afghanistan closed for applications on the 11th of March 2022.

However, it is important to say that all current immigration avenues remain open for new applications, including visa, employment and family reunification applications.

Afghan nationals are visa required and must have a valid Irish entry visa before they seek to enter the State.

Any visa required national that wishes to enter the State, and remain, for up to 90 days must have a Type C Short Stay Visa. A visa required national that wishes to reside in the State for longer than 90 days must have a Type D Long Stay Visa.

Any person that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at:

www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx .

In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid Employment Permit. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) administers the Employment Permits system. Full details of the various types of Employment Permits available can be found at the link below:

enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/

Ireland supports the entry of migrants through legal pathways, to facilitate legal migration into the State. These include arrangements for various categories of persons, including; workers and international students.

Details of these legal pathways can be found on the Immigration Service website at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/