David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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369. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the Afghan Relocation Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21763/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person referred to by the Deputy made an application to the Afghan Admissions Programme, which was received by my Department on 16 February 2022.

All applications received under the Programme are currently being assessed and it is expected that applicants will receive a decision in mid-2022.

The application form for the Programme has been designed so that all applicants are treated fairly and equally in their applications and there should not be a requirement for additional information.  

While my Department is playing an important role in the whole-of-Government response to the Ukraine crisis, I can assure the Deputy that this has not diminished our commitment to implementing the Afghan Admission Programme, which is unique to Ireland.  A dedicated team is in place in my Department to examine and decide on the applications received under the Programme and is very conscious of the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.