Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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1523. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if any additional resources have been committed to visa processing over the past twelve months; the plans for further resources to be allocated to visa processing; when we can expect to see improvements in the timelines for processing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18797/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible.

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. My Department's Visa Division is working to meet the increased level of demand number of decisions issued in 2024, increased by 18%.

The speed at which any particular application will be processed is largely dictated by the quality of the supporting documentation, and the applicant’s adherence to the applicable immigration policies. The volume of applications on hands will also impact decision times.

I am acutely aware that visa applications are very important for the people impacted. I am committed to improving the service my Department provides and adapting our approach to deal with increased demands for these services.

In recent months, additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division which I expect will reduce the waiting times for all applications.

Since the introduction of the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre (DCC), visa applicants can now directly check the status of their application, raise queries or submit documents in support of their visa application through the DCC. They can register to use the DCC, or log in to their existing account, at: