Written answers
Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
Family Reunification
Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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1522. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the review into his Department's family reunification policy; when he will publish a revised policy in this area; if he will list the groups and individuals whom he has consulted on this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18796/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review.
The review is examining a wide range of matters relating to applications for family reunification including the nature and suitability of current income thresholds and waiting periods. Officials from my Department have consulted with a wide variety of stakeholders, including relevant Government departments and external organisations. That engagement will continue and my expectation is that the review will be brought to conclusion soon.
The following organisations have either participated in our NGO forum or submitted material which has been considered by my Department as part of the review:
- Migrant Rights Centre Ireland,
- Crosscare,
- Nasc,
- Immigrant Council of Ireland,
- UNHCR,
- Treoir,
- Irish Congress of Trade Unions,
- Ruhama,
- One Family,
- Irish Refugee Council,
- European Anti-Poverty Network,
- Business in the Community Ireland,
- Doras,
- Cairde,
- Irish Council for International Students,
- Legal Aid Board,
- AkiDwA,
- Spirasi,
- Family Resource Centre National Forum,
- Chambers Ireland,
- Community Work Ireland,
- Council for Justice and Peace,
- Permits Foundation,
- Jesuit Refugee Service,
- Citizens Information Board.
I can also advise that, with effect from 15 May 2024, the first part of the review was implemented. Eligible spouses and partners of General Employment Permit and Intra-Corporate Transferee Irish Employment Permit holders, who have applied for and been granted family reunification, in accordance with the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, will now be registered on a Stamp 1G permission, rather than a Stamp 3. This allows the holder to take up employment without the need to obtain a separate Employment Permit of their own.
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