Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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232. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of people waiting for visa appointments in each Garda division, sub-analysed for each district within each division, as of 1 May 2023, in tabular form; the plans, if any, to address the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22209/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) has oversight of the registration and renewal of immigration permissions for persons residing outside of the Dublin area.

The responsibility for the registration function at Immigration Offices outside of the Dublin Metropolitan Region rests with local Superintendents or the relevant Detective Superintendent.

The waiting time for appointments outside of Dublin is dependent on the demand for registrations in each office, and fluctuates based on seasonal demands and other variations. The Garda National Immigration Bureau does not record waiting times.

To date in 2023, An Garda Síochána have conducted 128,401 registrations, which compares with a total of 126,321 registrations performed by An Garda Síochána during 2022.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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233. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the visa application of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22245/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the application he refers to was created on the 11 April, 2022. Supporting documentation was received in the Belgrade office on the 11 July, 2022. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 19 August, 2022 where it awaits examination and processing.

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 application.

A 12 month target will apply for applications to join Category B sponsors, such as Non Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders or Stamp 4 holders not covered by other more favourable arrangements.

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 this application 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.

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 email using the Oireachtas Mail facility at 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.