Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1072. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the processing of visas for persons coming to Ireland from Vietnam, following the approval of a work permit, is slower than it is for other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63459/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Applications from residents of Vietnam are normally processed by the Embassy of Ireland, in Hanoi, under delegated sanction from my Department. There has been an 870% increase in Type D Long Stay Employment visa applications received (the majority from general employment permit holders), from residents of Vietnam, up to the 30 November 2022, in comparison with the same period in 2019 (before COVID-19 related travel restrictions).

The central concern in deciding on visa applications, as with all visa services worldwide, 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 facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria; each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.

The increase in Type D Long Stay Employment visa applications received has coincided with a marked deterioration in the quality of the applications. A significant number of applications do not appear to adhere to our guidelines and policies. Officials of my Department have held discussions with a number of stakeholders, including various employers and IBEC, and have advised that, in these circumstances, enhanced scrutiny of all applications of this nature is required and that the progression of a large number of employment visas which are associated with a general employment permit, generally relating to lower skilled positions, will likely not proceed. This position is being kept under constant review and visas for other categories of employee such as Critical Skills continue to be progressed.