Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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274. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reasoning for the decision to remove the 90-day visa-free travel to Ireland from South Africa for tourists; and whether she would reconsider this decision. [42323/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, with effect from 10 July 2024 Irish visa requirements were applied to nationals of South Africa.

Irish visa requirements are kept under ongoing review, having regard to the need to ensure that effective immigration controls are in place whilst also facilitating those who wish to travel to Ireland for the purposes of a visit, to work, to study or to join family members.

The introduction of a visa requirement for nationals of South Africa brings Ireland into closer alignment with the visa regime in the United Kingdom and the Schengen area.

In recent years, a significant number of International Protection applications have been received from nationals of South Africa. South Africa is designated as a safe country countries of origin for International Protection purposes and was one of only two countries on that list which were not visa required. Following the introduction of visa requirements for nationals of South Africa, my Department has recorded a significant reduction in the number of International Protection applications from South African Nationals.

I can further advise the Deputy that additional resources have been put in place to facilitate visa applicants from South Africa with a dedicated ‘South Africa desk’ in Dublin to process such applications and three Visa Applications Centres, located in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, which have been introduced with visa service provider VFS Global.