Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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510. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of a visa application in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to issue; the reason for the delay is issuing visas to date; the plans in place to address this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11152/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The person referred to by the Deputy created on-line Join Family visa application on 8 October 2022. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were received on 21 October 2022 in the Athens office. This visa application was received in the Dublin Visa Office for further processing on 28 November 2022.

Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf

This Policy Document contains a stated business target that visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders, should be dealt with within 6 months of receipt in the relevant visa office, in this case Dublin. However, it must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.

It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when the application referred to will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.

The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.

The Dublin Visa Office are currently processing visas of this type received, in the Dublin Visa office, on the 29 June 2022. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday:

www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/

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.