Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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875. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if DNA testing is used as part of verifying applications through the Afghan admissions programme; if so, the number of times which it has been used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55162/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that in certain circumstances officials of my Department may request that the sponsor of an immigration application and their beneficiary undergo a DNA test to confirm the relationship. It should be noted that a DNA test is used only to prove a relationship between the persons tested. It cannot be used to identify a person, therefore sufficient evidence to prove identity will still be required.

The sponsor is not obliged to take a DNA test and their decision not to do so will not be taken to mean that they are not related. However, the responsibility will remain upon the sponsor to demonstrate that the relationship is genuine. Original documents or certified copies or original versions of documentation from official sources can be used instead and must be submitted as part of the original application.

DNA testing will be carried out strictly by my Department’s testing provider, following a request from my Department. Test traceability and identity verification protocols operated by my Department are an integral part of the DNA testing process. Results provided by the proposer outside of my Department’s testing process will not be accepted. A fee will not be charged for DNA tests that prove the relationships. However, the sponsor will have to pay the costs of tests if no relationship is proven.

I can inform that Deputy that as of 1 November, no DNA tests have been requested in respect of any applicants under the Afghan Admissions Programme.