Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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234. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases processed under the Afghan admissions programme, with particular reference to the number of applications completed; the number of arrivals in Ireland; the number of staff working on the programme; the reason for the delay in completing this programme in light of the fact applicants are receiving no financial benefits or assistance, simply permission to live in Ireland with their relatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22286/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand this is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and their loved ones. My Department has issued 450 approvals for beneficiaries under the Afghan Admission Programme as of 10 May and continues to process the remaining applications. To date no refusal letters have issued.

A total of 528 applications in respect of 1,492 potential beneficiaries were received under the Programme. To ensure as many people as possible can avail of this important programme the Department has been liaising with representatives of the Afghan Community, including the Afghan Council, and with applicants directly to ensure the Afghan Admission Programme team have everything needed to progress applications.

Where applicants are missing important information, such as proof of identity and familial relationships, the Afghan Admission Programme Unit contacted people directly to gather the required documents. This process is now complete and applications continue to be assessed in a pragmatic and humanitarian manner. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application as soon as is possible.

There are currently five staff allocated to the management of the Afghan Admissions Programme.

The figures requested by the Deputy in relation to arrivals in Ireland of beneficiaries under the programme are not available. However, I can advise that from August 2021 to April 2023 the total number of Join Family Visas granted to Afghan nationals is 432. This figure would include those who have applied under the Afghan Admissions Programme, but would also include people that have been granted join family visas outside of the programme, such as family reunification and other join family applications. It should also be noted that some people who have been approved under the programme have not yet applied for a visa to come Ireland.