Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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301. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a detailed report on the current average processing times for visa applications submitted by Irish citizens for their non-EEA spouses; the number of such applications presently awaiting a decision; the total number of spousal visa applications submitted by Irish citizens over the past 24 months; the number of personnel currently assigned to process these applications; and if he will outline the reasons for the significant delays being experienced—delays which in many cases exceed 15 months—causing considerable emotional and logistical hardship for Irish citizens and their families seeking to reunite with their lawful spouses. [36870/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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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 join family visa applications, where the sponsor was an Irish national, was 139 days. This figure includes join family visa applications made by spouses, children and other family members.

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.

Table 1 below details the number of join family visa applications received for spouses of an Irish nationals from 01 July 2023 to 30 June 2025 and the first instances decisions issued.

Table 1: Join Family spouse of Irish national Visa applications received and decisions issued.

I can advise the Deputy there are currently 66.6 whole time equivalent staff currently assigned to the Dublin Visa Office who are responsible for processing visa applications, visa appeals, and correspondence related to these applications. Please note that this figure excludes Visa Office staff whose duties do not relate to join family visa applications for spouses of Irish nationals.

Table 2 below details the number of staff working across the seven overseas Visa Offices, broken down by Visa Officers posted from my Department’s Visa Division and staff employed locally.

Table 2: Staff working across the seven overseas visa offices