Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

120. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when he will publish the review of the family reunification process that his Department recently undertook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25027/25]

Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When does the Minister of State plan to publish the review the Department undertook on the family reunification process? I understand the review was completed months ago but still has not been published. I would be grateful if he could give an exact timeline as there are many people waiting on its publication.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Migrant workers make an enormous contribution to the Irish economy and society. It is a central priority for me, as Minister for State with responsibility for migration, that our immigrations laws are fair and efficient. An important part of this is having clear legal pathways for workers and their families.

My Department’s policy document for Non-EEA family reunification, which was last amended in 2016, is still under review. The policy document sets out the conditions for a sponsor to apply for a family member to be reunited with them in Ireland. 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 including relevant Departments and external organisations. While I cannot pre-empt the outcome, I can advise the Deputy it is my expectation that the next stage of the review will be brought to a conclusion soon. My officials will continue to engage with stakeholders regarding any amendments to the policy.

While I fully understand that some people moving to Ireland to live and work would wish to have their family join them, the issues to be examined as part of a family reunification application are complex. The primary focus is to ensure that a sponsor in a secure position and able to demonstrate a clear capacity to provide for family members before applications for family to join them here can be approved.

I can also advise that the first part of the review was implemented with effect from 15 May 2024. Eligible spouses and partners of people who hold general employment permits and intra-corporate transferee Irish employment permits, who have been granted family reunification, are now registered on a stamp 1G permission, rather than a stamp 3. This allows the holder to take up employment without the need to obtain a separate employment permit of their own.

Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Before I became a TD five months ago, I was a healthcare worker in a dementia unit. I had the privilege of working with healthcare workers from many different countries. Unfortunately, many of them are undergoing an horrific experience of being separated from their families, sometimes for years, because of the unfair family reunification system in this country. There are people who are doing essential jobs who have been recruited in Ireland because we cannot fill these jobs ourselves. These people are doing essential jobs and are part of our community. People are being denied their basic right to have their family with them because they do not earn a high enough salary because of the types of jobs the are in. Relationships are being torn apart. Everyone deserves to have their family with them when it comes to living and working in Ireland. Will the Minister of State undertake this essential work and please help these families? Will he commit to publishing this review as soon as possible and changing this unfair reunification system?

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is under review and I want to see that concluded as soon as possible and be able to come back on this. I take on board what the Deputy said but it is important that we ensure with family reunifications that financial thresholds in income are met for permit holders to be eligible to apply for their family to join and that it can be done in a proper and clear way. I take his points on board and when the review concludes I will come back to him.

Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been in touch with the Department about a healthcare worker whose family reunification application was refused because she took a brief drop in income last year due to her pregnancy. She should not be penalised for that or anything like that. It is a time when she should be able to access that family support. I ask the Minister of State to look into this woman’s appeal and to consider abolishing the income threshold for family reunification altogether.

I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge our migrant healthcare workers and all the amazing work they do in our country. They prop up our healthcare system and it is time they get the recognition they deserve.

I also ask the Department to look into a specific case of a woman and her 13-year-old daughter who faces abuses and being married off by her father should she be forced to return to South Africa. This is an emergency case. I have emailed the Minister of State the details and I ask him to look into the details if he can.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am acutely aware that for families involved in situations like this it is very important to them and it is very important that they have information. I again refer to what I outlined in reply to the Deputy earlier, namely that it is clearly an important part that someone has sufficient income to sustain a family reunification. A review is ongoing looking at all the processes involved. I will come back to the Deputy with the information as soon as I can.