Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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266. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce measures to allow family members join refugees and asylum seekers here; the public policy implications of such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50026/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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On 14 November last, together with my colleague, the Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton T.D., I announced a new scheme of family reunification in support of refugees and their families, as part of the Government’s commitments under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). The new Family Reunification Humanitarian Admission Programme (FRHAP) will see up to 530 immediate family members of refugees from established conflict zones come to Ireland as part of our overall commitment to accept 4,000 persons under the IRPP.

I will operate this humanitarian admission programme under my Ministerial discretionary powers and it will be in addition to the family reunification provisions provided for in the International Protection Act 2015. 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. I am conscious that the measure is being introduced at a time when our national housing supply is under strain. To minimise the impact of the programme, priority may be given to sponsors who can meet the accommodation requirements of eligible family members.

Additional details on the operation of the programme will be announced on the websites of the Department of Justice and Equality () and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service () in the coming weeks following consultations with UNHCR.