Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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502. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the family reunification visas, currently being considered by the Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi, given that it is over six months since these applications were lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6783/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The persons referred to by the Deputy created on-line Join Family visa applications on 20 July 2022. The supporting documentation and fee waivers were received on 3 August 2022 in the Abu Dhabi visa office.

Processing of these applications is ongoing at present. As each application is examined under its own merits, we are unable to give an exact time-frame for completion. However, the applicants can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in finalising their applications.

In accordance with the provisions under Point 21.1 of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service's Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification (www.inis.gov.ie) processing of family reunification visa applications may take up to 6 -12 months to determine from date documentation is received in the relevant Visa Office.

The business target of 6-12 months for long term 'join family' applications was established following the publication of the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. The visa office endeavours to have applications of this nature processed earlier than this, however, this is not always possible. In order to be fair to all applicants, as you will appreciate, applications are processed in order, by date received in the visa office.

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.