Written answers

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Department of Justice and Equality

Family Reunification

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1199. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the case of a family (details supplied); if efforts will be made to relocate this family to Ireland given the threat to their lives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63115/21]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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At the outset of the current crisis in Afghanistan, the Government announced that Afghan people would be allocated places under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). Priority has been given to those working on human rights issues, including the rights of women and girls and minorities, as well as those working with NGOs and European and international organisations and more than 500 Afghan people have been allocated places to date. My own Department has provided the visas or visa letters in lieu to facilitate their travel to Ireland.

The IRPP is under the remit of Minister O’Gorman, and any queries in relation to eligibility under the IRPP should be addressed to Minister O'Gorman and his Department.

On 28 September 2021, the Government agreed to the introduction of an Afghan Admission Programme, with an allocation of up to 500 places. This is in addition to the pathways already available to Afghan nationals to have family members join them in Ireland.

The Programme, which opened for applications on 16 December 2021, will enable current or former Afghan nationals living legally in Ireland to apply to have their close family members, who are living in Afghanistan or who have recently fled to eligible territories bordering Afghanistan, to apply for temporary residence in Ireland. The eligible neighbouring countries are: Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The Programme is a key part of the Government’s response to the evolving humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. 

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