Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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284. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 487 of 27 May 2025, to provide details of the outsourced visa service provider mentioned; the total amount paid to this provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35058/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years my Department has taken a number of steps to upgrade the visa processing system and improve the service offered to individuals applying for Irish visas. This has included availing of services provided by VFS Global at their Visa Application Centres (VACs).

Applications for Irish visas made by residents of South Africa are processed at VACs located in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria. I can advise the Deputy that my Department makes no payments to VFS Global for their services. When a person in South Africa applies for an Irish visa they pay a €40 service fee to VFS Global directly for their services.

A number of services are provided for the fee charged by VFS, including the initial processing of applications and transmitting documents between customers and the Visa Office. Additionally, VFS Global offers a number of optional services, the fees for which are detailed on their website, at the following address: .

The use of VFS Global’s services provides greater accessibility to customers across a wider geographical area, particularly in large countries or countries where Ireland does not have consular representation. The use of VFS Global’s centres reduces courier and travel costs for customers whose nearest Irish Visa Office or Embassy could be located thousands of kilometres away.

These services do not extend to making decisions on visa applications; such decisions are the sole remit of officials from my Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs.

I can advise the Deputy the fees applied by VFS Global are in addition to the application fees for Irish visas. The fees for Irish visas are, €60 for an single entry visas, €100 for a multi entry visas and €25 for a transit visa. Further information regarding Irish visa fees and exemptions are available at the following address: www.irishimmigration.ie/preclearance-and-entry-visas-fees/.