Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if an application for a visa will be reviewed and processed as appropriate in the case of a person (details supplied); the next steps in this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51545/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 591 of 11 September 2017, I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 21 August 2017.

While every effort 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 for the Visa Office to investigate, enquire into, or seek further information in relation to certain applications, and the resources available.

Unfortunately, due to the large number of applications waiting to be processed and the fact that such applications are processed in chronological order (i.e. based on date order of receipt), it is not possible at this time to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. However, I can advise that the Dublin Visa Office is currently processing such visa applications received in Dublin on, or before, 17 May 2017. Any additional documentation which the applicant may wish the Visa Officer to consider can be submitted to the Dublin Visa Office.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie.