Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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836. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will engage with relevant Departments on the significant visa processing delays being experienced by a group (details supplied), including many holding formal offers from Irish universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23239/25]

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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845. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will engage with relevant Departments on the significant visa processing delays being experienced by a group (details supplied), including many holding formal offers from Irish universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23238/25]

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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883. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the significant visa processing delays being experienced by a group (details supplied), including many who hold formal offers from Irish universities and employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23705/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 836, 845 and 883 together.

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 and the number of decisions issued in 2024 increased by 18%.

While processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. However, some applications can take considerably longer. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged.

Visa applications can only be determined when all the required information is received and considered by the Visa Office. This information is not limited to considering the documentation submitted by the applicant themselves. The Visa Office also must take steps to verify the details and/or documentation submitted in support of the application. These requirements are detailed in the privacy notice which all visa applicants agree to upon submitting their application.

Visa and preclearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland for employment, study and family reasons and also to facilitate visitors who wish to travel for business and/or tourism. It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel.

Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete. 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.

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.