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

275. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the plan to evacuate 18 seriously ill children from Gaza to Ireland for potentially life-saving treatment has stalled because of Government concerns about granting special visas to the children’s siblings, can these visas be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38457/25]

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

278. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delays in issuing visas for the siblings of children set to be evacuated to Ireland for medical treatment; if he is aware of the time sensitive manner of these evacuations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38473/25]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 278 together.

In September last year the Government approved Ireland’s participation in an initiative to evacuate up to 30 sick children from Gaza for treatment and care, following an appeal from the World Health Organisation (WHO). So far, 12 children have arrived safely in Ireland to receive medical treatment. They’ve been accompanied by carers and family members. In total Ireland may receive up to 30 paediatric patients under this initiative.

My Department has been supporting the Minister for Health and the HSE, who have primary responsibility to facilitate the evacuation of children out of Gaza via Egypt. Medical evacuations operations are extraordinarily difficult, several Departments and agencies are working together to get the necessary arrangements in place to evacuate these children.

I can confirm to the Deputy that there has been no delays in the processing of Irish entry visas in this regard. Requests for additional family members to join those who have been medically evacuated have been facilitated by my Department. The 12 children who have arrived to date were accompanied by 12 mother-carers and 21 other accompanying family members.

My Department remains committed to supporting the evacuation of up to 18 further children in line with the Government decision and my officials are working closely with the Department of Health regarding future arrivals.