Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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93. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of long-stay join family single entry D visas issued in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of refusals for same; the average processing time; the process involved in processing this category; the number issued on a country basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24989/17]

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 tables below set out the position in relation to the ten highest number of applications by nationality and a combined figure for all other nationalities (up to 90) for the years requested by the Deputy.

I am further advised by INIS that the time taken to complete "join family" visa applications in the Dublin Visa office where all necessary information is available to the Visa Officer is currently 5 months. This is within the business target time of 6 to 12 months for this type of visa application. Applications processed in the seven Visa Offices abroad generally have a shorter processing time.

While every effort generally is made to process these applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of applications, their complexity, the possible need to investigate, enquire into, or seek further information in relation to certain applications, 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.

Further information on the application process is available on the INIS website at -

2015

2016

2017 (up to 22 May)