Written answers
Tuesday, 14 November 2023
Department of Justice and Equality
Airport Policy
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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346. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware of the issues arising from her Department's decision to suspend the requirement for re-entry visas for children under sixteen years of age since the commencement of the Covid 19 pandemic, with some young passengers in such circumstances being refused transport by airlines; if she will review this arrangement and communicate the decision more effectively to the airlines in view of the experience of many including the Indian community returning to Ireland with children who have had to repurchase airline tickets without any compensation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49846/23]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The re-entry visa requirements for children under 16 was suspended in 2022.
The processing of these applications required customers to submit their passports and due to significant processing times, delays were common. Suspending the re-entry visa requirements for children under 16 allowed my Department to minimise or avoid potential disruption to customers and their travel plans.
Children under 16 who are currently residing in the State and who wish to re-enter the State, must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian who holds an in date immigration permission to reside in the State. The adult accompanying the child must also provide appropriate documentation to prove they are the legal parent or guardian of the child in question.
The Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has advised all airlines and foreign missions of the suspended re-entry visa initiative in place. People travelling may rely on the published notice on my Department's immigration website at: irishimmigration.ie/suspension-of-re-entry-visa-requirements-for-children-under-the-age-of-16-years/
After a recent communication with the Indian embassy, the Immigration Service has again contacted all airlines to highlight the Irish entry policy for legally resident minor children who are returning to Ireland from abroad.
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