Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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182. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of section 56 family reunification applications on hand at the family reunification unit; the current processing times of applications; the number of FTE staff in the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17817/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise the Deputy that the average processing time for applications under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 is currently 18 months.

Processing times can vary depending on the nature of the application, the documentation supplied, and the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out on such applications.

I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in the State and I want to assure anyone who has an application submitted, that the Family Reunification Unit of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.

Currently, there are 1,928 sponsor applications in progress under the Act, accounting for 6,182 family members.

As of 1 April 2025, there are 13.5 staff working in the Family Reunification Unit; staffing levels in the unit are kept under constant review.