Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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447. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the suspension of re-entry visa requirements for children under the age of 16 years, who are travelling with legal parent or guardian, will be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4638/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The suspension of a requirement for re-entry visas for children under 16 was introduced in 2022. The processing of these applications required applicants to submit their passports, which, at times, resulted in significant processing times, delays and other issues arising. Suspending re-entry visa requirements for children under 16 allowed the Department to minimise potential disruption to applicants and to facilitate their travel plans.

All airlines were notified of the suspension by my Department through the TIMATIC – (Travel Information Manual Automatic) system. TIMATIC is a leading provider of real-time information on travel document requirements for international air travel and is trusted by airlines, travel agents, security agents, and government officials.

Persons travelling out of Ireland are advised to check with their airline provider prior to booking or making travel plans to ensure that they are willing to accept children without re-entry visa’s on board their aircraft, and that the airlines can rely on the published notice on my Department's immigration website at:

Despite the suspension of a requirement for re-entry visas, in certain urgent, emergency, or extenuating circumstances, the provision of a re-entry visa can be considered. Individuals, including those who have previously experienced challenges when taking connecting flights, are welcome to register for, or log into, their own Customer Service account () and submit a query. Here they can request a re-entry visa for urgent, emergency, or extenuating circumstances.

There are no plans at present to amend the current process mentioned above, however, all immigration processes are kept under continuous review by my Department.