Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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180. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times ministerial discretion on humanitarian grounds has been used to waive the economic conditions for sponsors applying for non-EEA family reunification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50731/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the position on family reunification for non-refugees is set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification published by my predecessor on 31 December 2013. 

The Policy Document, which is available on the INIS website www.inis.gov.ie, provides a comprehensive statement of national immigration policy on the area of family reunification.  The policies outlined in the document apply to all decision making in relation to family reunification cases where ministerial discretion applies, including long stay (join family) visa applications.  Records are not maintained in such a way as to provide statistics on cases whereby discretion was exercised in the issuing of join family visas.