Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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288. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the refusal of visa applications in the case of persons (details supplied); the process to be followed to appeal same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3925/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were refused by the Visa Office in Dublin. Refusal letters issued to the applicants on the 24 January 2023 set out the reasons for these decisions. An appeals process, which is free of charge, is available which allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors which gave rise to that decision.

It is open to the applicants to appeal these decisions, in writing, within two months of the date of the refusal. Appeals must be in written form and sent to the Visa Appeals Officer in the relevant Visa Office. Faxed or emailed appeals will not be considered.

All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the immigration website. Applicants that meticulously follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance. Further details on the appeals process can be found at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/appeal-a-negative-decision/

When making an appeal, the applicants should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letters. The appeals should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh. Full consideration will be given to any appeal received on behalf of the applicants, however the onus is on the applicants to satisfy the Visa Officer that visas should be granted.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.