Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for the question. As he is aware, the Department's policy document for non-EEA family reunification was last amended in 2016. It is under review. The policy document sets out the conditions for a family member to be reunited. In general terms, a sponsor must demonstrate their capacity to provide for their family member. The review is examining a wide range of matters relating to applications for family reunification. Officials from my Department have consulted with a wide variety of stakeholders on this.

I fully understand that some people moving to Ireland to live and work would wish to have their family join them. I acknowledge that there are different criteria between the employment permit types. The issues to be examined as part of family reunification are complex. I understand that some may find the difference in criteria between the employment permit types difficult to understand, but I assure the Deputy that the primary focus is to ensure that a sponsor is in a secure position and able to demonstrate a clear capacity to provide for family members before approving applications for family members to join them here.

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