Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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383. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of visa applications processed in each overseas visa office in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21893/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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There are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin.  These are located in Abuja; Beijing; London; Moscow; Ankara; Abu Dhabi; and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs processes certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.

The visa process has a crucial role to play in supporting economic activity in the State through the facilitation of tourism from emerging markets, the promotion of Ireland as a destination for international education and facilitating those coming here for business and work, etc.  As with all visa services worldwide, the central concern in deciding on visa applications is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time not placing unnecessary or unreasonable obstacles in the way of intending visitors.

The tables below set out the figures for Type C Short Stay and Type D Long Stay visas processed in 2021 and in 2022 to end April.

2021

2022