Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1065. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of family reunification sponsor applications made to date in 2025; the number of these applications made by minors under the age of 18, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30537/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1066. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the delays in processing family reunification applications, noting that the average processing time is currently 18 months, despite previous Government commitments to process such applications within 12 months; the reasons for these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30538/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1067. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Department has a system in place to fast-track family reunification applications in emergency or high-risk situations, such as for Afghans in Pakistan or Iran, or Eritreans at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30539/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1068. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the top five nationalities of applicants who have successfully secured family reunification in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30540/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1069. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average refusal rate for family reunification applications in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30541/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1070. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the main grounds on which family reunification applications are refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30542/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1071. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are still currently 13.5 staff members working in the family reunification unit; to provide a year-by-year breakdown of staffing levels in this unit for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30543/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1065, 1066, 1067, 1068, 1069, 1070 and 1071 together.

I understand the Deputy is referring to family reunification as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, which allows people granted International Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State.

The median processing time for applications in 2024 was approximately 16 months. However, it should be noted that no two applications are the same and that numerous factors can impact processing times. Processing times can vary depending on the nature of the application, the documentation supplied, and the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out on such applications.

The number of applications received this year, up to 27 May 2025, is 524 sponsor applications, accounting for 1,482 family members. Applications made on behalf of minors are not treated as separate to standard adult applications and as a result, the information requested on the number of minor applications made this year is not available.

The top five nationalities granted a family reunification permission under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 in 2024 were:

1. Somalia
2. Afghanistan
3. Zimbabwe
4. Nigeria
5. Sudan

The below table shows the average refusal rate for applications in the years 2020 to 2024.

** refusal rate is to the nearest whole number.

Applications are not accepted if they are made outside the time specified in the Act, or if they are for ineligible family members. Applications are refused if the applicant is unable to meet the criteria set down in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015.

There are currently 13.5 staff working in the Family Reunification Unit (FRU) of my Department. The FRU was amalgamated with other units in my Departments Immigration Service during the time period requested, and a clear distinction of staff for only family reunification purposes was not recorded. As a result, the information requested on the number of staff in the FRU from 2020-2024 is currently unavailable.

Non-EEA nationals legally resident in Ireland, and considering family reunification, and who do not meet the criteria as provided for in the International Protection Act 2015, may also apply under my Department’s “Policy on Non-EEA Family Reunification in Ireland”, available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf.

This policy document, which is currently under review, sets out the criteria and requirements for any person considering making an application to be joined by family members in the State.