Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context

271. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason only one family member of children from Gaza being brought to Ireland for medical treatment is being given a stamp 4 visa; if he will consider extending stamp 4s to other family members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24999/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department has worked closely with colleagues across the public service to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance and, in accordance with a Government decision in September 2024, in supporting the evacuation of a number of sick children from Gaza for treatment and care.

The position is that a child patient, one carer and that carer’s minor dependents (i.e. patient child’s siblings) have been issued with a Stamp 4 immigration permission. Any adults in addition to the nominated carer will be issued with a Stamp 3 immigration permission in alignment with the policy for family reunification for all other groups.

Visa applications for family members of Palestinian nationals living in Ireland are considered on a case-by-case basis. My Department is in regular contact with the Embassy of Ireland in Israel regarding a number of visa applications from residents of Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. The Embassy are actively engaging with applicants to gather the required documents to ensure that the Visa Division of my Department have everything needed to progress these applications.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

272. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to expedite a joint family, type D visa application that was originally submitted in March 2024 in respect of a Kerry constituent (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25005/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 10 March 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Belgrade office on 27 March 2024, and the application was subsequently received in the Dublin Visa Office on 29 April 2024, where it awaits examination and processing.

My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months, however, some applications take longer than others. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.

While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing, it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these applications will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.

While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.

Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/

The date published on the website is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.

I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the persons impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.

To provide greater clarity, officials in my Department are currently in the process of updating the Immigration Service website to provide processing times for decisions on visa applications at the Dublin visa office.

The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre. They can register for, or log in to their existing account at: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/

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.