Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the time-frame for applicants who have been granted refugee status to be notified of the decision of her Department to their request for family reunification visas can be reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42492/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department recognises the critical importance of beneficiaries of international protection being reunited with their family members as soon as possible.

Family reunification visa applications are processed by the Immigration Service of my Department on an expedited basis where they are accompanied by the family reunification grant letter.  

Such applications are typically processed within 2-3 weeks of being received by the Dublin Office with all the appropriate supporting documentation. This timeframe has not always been possible to achieve this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions in relation to visa processing.

However, I can confirm to the Deputy that, at present, these visa applications are being processed within the 2-3 week timeframe.