Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1566. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his officials can investigate the reason for the refusal for visas for healthcare workers (details supplied) where the visa eligibility criteria appear to have been adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19414/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Firstly, I want to assure the Deputy I recognise the enormous contribution to the Irish health service and Irish society made by healthcare workers from outside the EU.

At all times the staff of my Department's Visa Division process visa applications in an impartial and consistent manner in line with the relevant policy document. Without specific visa application numbers, I am unable to comment directly on the key issues observed by the Deputy; I have asked officials in my Department to make contact with the Deputy in this regard and will seek to provide a more substantive response to the specific issued raised.

Generally, it should also be noted that the granting of a work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) does not guarantee a visa will be subsequently granted. There are two very distinct application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department.

All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website. Applicants that carefully follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.

I can also advise that an appeals process is available which allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors which gave rise to that decision.

When making an appeal, applicants should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in their refusal letters. The appeals should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh. The applicant will find further details on the appeals process at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/appeal-a-negative-decision/

Applicants can now directly check the status of their applications on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre (DCC). They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:

Finally, as an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.