Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 11 May 2023, if data is collected on the number of arrivals to Ireland under the Afghan Admission Programme; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25074/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Data on the numbers of beneficiaries of the Afghan Admission Programme (AAP) who have entered the State or registered is not collected by my Department.

Through engagement with Afghan community groups, such as the Afghan Council and NGOs we are aware that beneficiaries of the Afghan Admission Programme are arriving in Ireland.

Once beneficiaries of the AAP are in the State, they are required to register at their local immigration office and receive an immigration permission to then reside in the State in the normal way. The travel arrangements and subsequent arrival in the State of successful beneficiaries are not recorded separately by the Department.

My Department has issued 450 approvals for beneficiaries under the Afghan Admission Programme as of 22 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 contact 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.