Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1521. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average processing time for applications for residence permission for de-facto partners of Irish citizens; the number of applications currently pending; and the measures being taken to reduce delays given reports of applicants waiting up to ten months for a decision. [45230/25]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that a de facto partnership is where a non-EEA national is in a long-term relationship but is not married to, or in a civil partnership, with the sponsor.

If a non-EEA national wishes to move to Ireland as a de facto partner, they must apply from outside the State and be granted permission prior to travel.

Visa required nationals will need to apply for a Join Family visa, while non-visa required nationals must apply for pre-clearance in advance of travelling.

For individuals already resident in the State on an existing immigration permission and who are eligible for de facto partnership permission, they can apply to the Domestic Residence and Permissions (DRP) division using the online portal, which can be accessed here: inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login.

The number of such applications received by the DRP division have increased substantially in 2025, with 551 applications received up to 31 July. This is an increase of 50% from the 273 made in the same time period in 2024.

Extra resourcing has been assigned to the processing of de facto applications and between January and July this year, 403 decisions on applications were made, which is a 75% increase on the same period in 2024.

It is important to note that no two applications are the same and some may take longer than others to process. The time taken to process an application varies based on a number of factors such as the number of applications on hand, the complexity of the case and the quality of the application received.

There are currently 88 de facto applications on hand, with only four in the process longer than six months. I can inform the Deputy that the majority of applications are processed within two months.

Further information on the requirements and application process are available on my Department's Immigration Service website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/de-facto-partner-of-an-irish-or-non-eea-national/#who.