Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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457. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a couple (details supplied) are still waiting on their visas to be approved despite applying for them in January 2025, so they can re-enter the state and be reunited with their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49787/25]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the visa applications referred to were created on 13 January 2025. The applications together with supporting documentation were received by the South Africa Visa Desk on 27 January 2025 where they await examination and processing.

My Department’s business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.

While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing; it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these applications will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.

While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.

The Dublin Visa Office have established a dedicated “South Africa desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. Target processing times and weekly decision reports, for this desk, are available at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/south-africa-visa-desk/

I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland, and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.

The person concerned can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.

As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.