Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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404. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a decision on an appeal application for a long stay visa will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [30065/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Appeals are processed in the order in which they are received in order to be fair to all applicants. While every effort is made to process appeals received as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of appeals received, the resources available to process them and the complexity of the application and subsequent appeal.

Processing times may also increase where the provision of additional documentation is supplied and a detailed assessment of family rights under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights are required. Unfortunately, I cannot at this time give a definitive date as to when this particular appeal will be finalised.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the way the Immigration Service of my Department conducts its business. In line with public health advice, the Immigration Service has implemented a suite of measures to help in reducing the spread of the virus. These measures include the implementation of remote working for staff in order to comply with social and physical distancing measures. Unfortunately, these measures have led to a reduction in processing capacity. While delays can be expected, including in the processing of family reunification visa applications, the Immigration Service is operating to the best of its ability.

Applicants may e-mail any queries directly to: .

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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405. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the processing times for visa appeals. [30066/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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All visa appeals are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process appeals as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of cases and the possible need for the Immigration Service of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek information, and the resources available.

In line with public health advice, the Immigration Service has implemented measures to help in reducing the spread of the virus, including the implementation of remote working for staff in order to comply with social and physical distancing measures. Unfortunately, these measures have impacted on processing capacity. The Immigration Service is currently implementing a series of actions to address these impacts, including in the area of Visa appeals.

Appeals for Category A applications (where the sponsor is a Critical Skills Employment Permit Holder, researcher, investor, non-locum doctor and more) received before 29 April 2019, are currently being processed.

Appeals for Category B applications (where the sponsor is an employment permit holder, minister of religion, Stamp 4 holders not covered by other more favourable arrangements and more) received before 15 January 2019, are currently being processed.

Applicants can e-mail any queries directly to and may also keep up to date on Visa applications at: .