Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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472. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will respond to concerns and proposals from a person (details supplied) in respect of family reunification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30851/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The position in regard to applications for family reunification is set out in the Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification,which is available on my Department's website. The policy, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review.

The policy document sets out the rationale for applying resource requirements as part of the overall assessment of whether to approve an application for family reunification. In general terms, the sponsor must demonstrate their capacity to provide for their family member(s) if they are to be granted a permission to come to Ireland. Separately, it open to spouses of General Employment Permit holders to apply for Employment permits in their own right and enter the State and work.

As a guideline, Category B sponsors such as those on General Employment Permits, regardless of occupation, must have a gross income in excess of that applied by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) in assessing eligibility for the Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement). In examining such applications, my Department applies the DSP income levels current at the time of assessment.

My Department has no role in setting the minimum wages of non EEA Health Care assistants. The minimum wage is set by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.

Insofar as the reference in the details supplied to language requirements are concerned, it is a long standing requirement that applicants for immigration authorisation in certain professions and certain third level courses must have an English language proficiency. Such language requirements are in place to ensure that applicants can demonstrate a sufficient level of understanding/communication to effectively perform their studies or duties. No such language proficiency requirements apply with respect to family reunification applications generally.