Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1109. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make a statement on applications for family reunification for programme refugees, including the number of staff he has allocated specifically to their processing. [13794/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Family reunification as provided for in the International Protection Act 2015, gives certain family members of a qualified person, the sponsor, an immigration permission allowing them to enter, remain and reside in the State with the sponsor. Applications for family reunification must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission and are subject to the provisions of the International Protection Act 2015.

The Family Reunification Unit (FRU) of my Department currently has 8 staff assigned across all grades with a whole time equivalent of 6.3. The staffing levels in the unit are kept under constant review and additional staff have been assigned to the team, as required.

Non EEA nationals legally resident in Ireland, and considering family reunification, and who do not meet the criteria as provided for in the International Protection Act 2015, should also be aware of my Department’s “Policy on Non-EEA Family Reunification in Ireland”, available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf.

This policy document sets out the criteria and specific requirements for any person considering making an application to be joined by family members in the State.