Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The responsibility for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) transferred from my Department to the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth on 14 October 2020.

Family reunification as provided for in the International Protection Act 2015, gives certain family members of the applicant (the sponsor) an immigration permission allowing them to enter, remain and reside in the State. 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.

Information on how to apply is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/

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 through normal established legal pathways.