Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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606. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a visa application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1981/18]

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 application referred to was received on 23 May 2017. I am also advised that Join Family applications received on or before 7 June 2017 are currently being processed by INIS, and this particular application should be processed within the next 6 to 8 weeks.

The Policy Document on Family Reunification first published in December 2013 states that the business target for visa applications to join Irish citizens is to deal with such applications within six months of receipt of application.  However, it should be noted that this is a business target and does not constitute a legal obligation.  The business target takes into account the detailed and often complex assessment that is required in applications for family reunification. 

While every effort generally is made to process these applications as soon as possible, in line with the business target, processing times can vary having regard to the volume of applications, their complexity, the possible need to investigate, enquire into, or seek further information in relation to certain applications, and the resources available.   Any delays in achieving the business target are typically related to the processing of more complex cases where the provision of additional documentation is requested, or where detailed assessments of family rights under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights are required.

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.