Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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621. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to address the waiting times in the processing of visas being experienced by Ukrainian refugees who do not have either European Union or Ukrainian nationality; the efforts that she is taking to address the matter; if she intends to provide for additional staff; the number of such applications that have been received; the number that have been processed and awarded; the current waiting time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24839/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Since I lifted the visa requirements for those entering Ireland from Ukraine on 25 February, some 30,597 people have entered Ireland from Ukraine and my Department has already processed more than 30,576 temporary protection permissions.

People who are from a country that is visa-required, will still need to apply for a visa to travel to the State. These visa applications are accepted through the Embassy network in countries neighbouring Ukraine in the normal way. They are being dealt with speedily and sympathetically and the normal requirement to be ordinarily resident in the country in which a person applies for a visa has been waived in these cases.

Based on information provided by Embassies processing the visas, there has not been a significant increase in visa applications from third country nationals as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.

Anyone who wishes to make a visa application must do so online at: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx

I can assure the Deputy that my Government colleagues and I will continue to work with our EU counterparts on any further EU-wide measures that might be needed to assist those fleeing Ukraine.