Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the lengthy processing times for join family, Irish national spouse, visa applications; her views on whether these waiting times are unacceptable and unfair on the families involved; the measures she will take to address these processing times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15062/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the current processing times for 'Join Family' visa applications by the Visa Office in Dublin is around 7 months. Applications processed in the seven Visa Offices abroad generally have a shorter processing time.

The Policy Document on Family Re-unification published in December, 2013 contains a stated business target that visa applications to join Irish citizens should be dealt with within six months of receipt of application. However, it should be noted that this is a business target and does not constitute a legal obligation. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.

While the Visa Office endeavours to have applications of this nature processed as quickly as possible, processing times for visas can vary based on a number of factors such as the number of applications, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information or investigation is required, and the resources available. Any delays in achieving the business target are primarily related to the processing of more complex cases where the provision of additional documentation is requested or where detailed assessments of family rights under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights are required.

The central concern, as with all visa services worldwide, in deciding on visa applications is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is decided on its own merits taking all relevant factors into account.