Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1214. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of instances of visa fraud identified from 2020 to date in 2025, by visa category, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12840/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1215. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of visa applications from 2020 to date in 2025, by visa category, by year, the successive rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12841/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1214 and 1215 together.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department works diligently to detect instances where visa applicants submit false or misleading information.

My Department's Immigration Service website advises all applicants that if they include false or misleading information in their application, they will be refused. They are also advised that in some circumstances, they may not be allowed to appeal the visa decision and may be blocked from getting an Irish visa for 5 years.

Visa applications undergo checks at all stages of the application process to establish if the applicant meets the criteria for the visa type applied for and to verify all information supplied.

They are also advised that in some circumstances, they may not be allowed to appeal the visa decision and may be blocked from getting an Irish visa for 5 years. Information on the number of these instances is not collated by the Department.

The central concern in deciding on visa applications, as with all visa services worldwide, is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.

My Department publishes information online regarding the number visa applications received, visa decisions issued and the nationality of visa applicants. This information is available here: data.gov.ie/organization/department-of-justice

Table 1 at the link below shows the number of visa application received, broken down by category, from 2020 up to 11 March 2025.

Table 2 at the link below shows the number of first instance visa applications granted, broken down by category, from 2020 up to 11 March 2025.