Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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574. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the visa applications that were accepted for Afghans included applications prior to May 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46273/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, my Department is currently focused on processing applications for Afghan family members of Irish citizens and Afghan nationals living in Ireland. We are prioritising all such applications and processing them speedily and sympathetically.

A total of 295 visa applications, including both short and long term visas, have been received to date in 2021 from Afghan nationals. For the period 1 January 2021 to 30 April 2021, my Department received 64 applications from Afghan nationals and of these, 47 were granted a visa to enter the State.

For the period 1 May 2021 to 15 September 2021, my Department received 231 applications for Visas from Afghan nationals, and of these, 170 have been granted a visa to date.

The Deputy can be assured that my Department will continue to prioritise the processing of visa applications from Afghan nationals seeking to join family in the State.