Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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332. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on a visit a family/friend visa appeal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10399/25]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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333. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason waiting times for a visit a family/friend visas, short-term visits to Ireland, are taking over a year to process when in appeal (details supplied); the reason the decisions are taking so long, given these are short-term stays; if he will act to reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10400/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together.

I can advise the Deputy that the visa applications referred to have been refused. The reasons for these refusals were outlined to the persons considered in letters issued on 05 March 2024. Appeals of these decisions were received on 02 May 2024 and are currently under consideration. A decision will be issued to the applicants as soon as full consideration has been given by a Visa Appeals Officer.

There are several different legal pathways available to individuals who wish to travel to Ireland. Processing times vary depending on the type of application made and it is also the case that processing times for visa applications may vary across the different visa decision making centres globally. The processing times are largely in line with the expected processing times published across the Immigration Service Delivery website.

Processing times and decisions at the Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisions

This webpage is updated weekly for the Dublin Visa Office. Please note, the processing date published on the above page is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may prevent the published processing date from advancing.

In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received.

Additionally, in 2024, approximately 2,400 visa appeals, of all types, were received by the Dublin Visa Office of my Department. This reflects an increase of 20%, compared to 2023, with over 400 additional applications received.

I am acutely aware that visa applications, are very important for the persons impacted and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides. In recent months, additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division which I expect reduce the waiting times in the coming months.