Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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147. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the serious issues in visa applications for Ireland from South Africa, including issues with recommended steps to apply for the visa via a company (details supplied) appointed to deal with all South African visa applications; if he will investigate this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6464/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years my Department has taken a number of steps to upgrade the visa processing system and improve the service offered to individuals applying for Irish visas. This has included availing of services provided by VFS Global at their Visa Application Centres (VACs).

Applications for Irish visas made by residents of South Africa are processed at VACs located in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria. I am advised that there are no issues of significant concern known to the Visa Office regarding the service provided by VFS Global in South Africa.

The services provided by VFS Global include the initial processing of applications and transmitting documents between customers and the Visa Office. These services do not extend to making decisions on visa applications; such decisions are the sole remit of officials from my Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The use of VFS Global’s services provides greater accessibility to customers across a wider geographical area, particularly in large countries or countries where Ireland does not have consular representation. The use of VFS Global’s centres reduces courier and travel costs for customers whose nearest Irish Visa Office or Embassy could be located thousands of kilometres away.

I can also advise that in 2024 my Department received 6,948 applications from South African nationals, 5,763 of them came through VFS in South Africa, with the rest originating across the globe. We made decisions on 6,237 applications with a first instance grant rate of approx. 93%. In 2025 volumes remain high at 1,430 applications received with over 750 decisions made.

Should the Deputy have a particular case or cases in mind, they may wish to submit the person's name and Irish visa application number though the Oireachtas Mail facility (IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie) and officials from my Department will be able to examine the specific circumstances further.