Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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513. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if an expanded Afghan refugee programme will be introduced; the reason that there is a family limit of five persons on the current programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3571/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In response to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, I opened the special Afghan Admission Programme for applications on 16 December 2021. Applications will be accepted until 24 February 2022, with up to 500 places available for Afghan family members.

The Programme enables current or former Afghan nationals living legally in Ireland to apply to have certain close family members come to live with them in Ireland.

As the Deputy will appreciate, no immigration programme can be unlimited in scope. In line with policy considerations, certain conditions apply. The Programme has been developed to allow as many families as possible the opportunity to have some family members join them here in Ireland. Allowing larger numbers of family members to be nominated for admission, would mean that some families would miss out.

At this time, the Government decision is to allow up to 500 places under the Programme. There are no plans for approvals beyond this at this stage. However, developments at EU level may play a role at a later stage.

Furthermore, it is important to note that all current immigration avenues remain open for new applications, including visa and family reunification applications. The Afghan Admission Programme is additional to the current suite of immigration schemes and should not be viewed in isolation. Many people are already availing of these other avenues, and will continue to do so.