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

624. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for family unification visas being assessed presently by his Department; if he considers his Department’s staffing levels adequate to process them in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33798/25]

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

I can advise the Deputy that there are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.

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 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.

I can advise the Deputy that majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12-month business target. In 2024 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa application was 72 calendar days.

Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors and some applications may take considerably longer than average to progress to finalisation. 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.

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. These increases have continued, in the first five months of 2025, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 88,400 visa applications and has issued over 76,900 decisions. This reflects an increase in applications of 14%, compared to the same period in 2024.

My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 5,400 additional visa decisions have issued in the first five months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.

The table below details the total number of join family (JF) applications (all types) received and decisions made in 2024 and 2025 to 31 May 2025.

* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application made in a previous year.