Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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124. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the parameters of the family reunification humanitarian programme; if Syrians living here for a number of years will be eligible to apply for family reunification under this programme; his plans to broaden the definition of family member as per the International Protection (Family Reunification) (Amendment) Bill 2017 recently passed by Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49744/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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On 14 November 2017, I announced my intention to establish a Family Reunification Humanitarian Admission Programme (FRHAP) in support of refugees and their families, as part of the Government's commitments under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.

The FRHAP will address the issue of family reunification for some immediate family members coming from established conflict zones that are outside the scope of the International Protection Act 2015. The 2015 Act provides for the family reunification of immediate family members (spouse, civil partner and minor children) in line with the permission operated by other EU Member States under the EU Family Reunification Directive, in which Ireland does not participate.

This humanitarian admission programme will operate under my discretionary powers and is expected to provide for the reunification of more than 500 vulnerable family members in the next two years.

To allow the maximum number of families to benefit from the scheme, sponsors will be asked to prioritise a small number of family members for admission. Priority may be given to sponsors who can meet the accommodation requirements of eligible family members, having regard to the housing situation.

Further operational details on the FRHAP will be announced in the coming weeks following discussions with UNHCR.

The Government does not intend to amend the family reunification provisions under the International Protection Act 2015, which were approved by the Dáil and Seanad. The Seanad Private Members Bill referred to by the Deputy passed Committee Stage in the Seanad on 8 November 2017. The Government does not support the Bill, which would have significant and unquantifiable impacts on the provision of housing, healthcare, education, welfare payments and other State supports. The Bill has not considered the financial impacts of its proposal, therefore, the Government must decline a money message for the Bill. One of the objectives of this new FRHAP programme is that it addresses many of the motivating concerns of the Senators who proposed the Bill.