Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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181. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of applications for family reunification made by persons with international protection here in each of the years 2012 to 2016; the average number of family members requested per sponsor for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50732/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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During the period referred to by the Deputy applications for family reunification could be made in respect of a person's spouse and children, or in the case of a minor his or her parents, as well as other extended family members including grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, ward or guardian.

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the number of family members included in family reunification applications can vary considerably, with some applying for one family member only and, in other cases, a much wider dispersal of family members.

The table provides details of the numbers of applications received for the years requested and the number of family members included in those applications. It should be noted however that applications in respect of subjects who fell outside the scope of the family reunification legislation were rejected at first instance without being recorded, and such subjects are therefore not reflected in the table.