Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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421. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to protests related to delays in family reunification applications (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure this system is fair, equitable and operates as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66826/25]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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On 26 November 2025, I announced the publication of a comprehensive review of the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy. This review sets out a number of short-term measures to be introduced immediately, and longer-term measures which will be kept under ongoing review.

Short term measures include:

• The updated Policy will continue to allow Irish citizens and eligible non-EEA citizens to be joined by their immediate non-EEA family members (spouses, partners and children under 18), subject to an income threshold but strict limits will be placed on other family members.
• Applications for adult dependent family members will be limited to parents and adult children with serious health conditions who cannot live independently. Income levels for sponsoring such dependent applications have been increased to €92,789.
• Giving permission to work for 16-18 year olds dependents of General and Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders.
• Independent permissions (Stamp 4) for spouses, civil partners, de facto partners and minor children after their sponsor naturalises as an Irish citizen.
• Clear and serious consequences for both the sponsor and family member(s) if an application is found to be fraudulent or based on misrepresentation.

• Certain sponsors must have suitable private accommodation before their family arrive in Ireland
• All applications will need to be submitted while their family members are outside the State
• An application fee will be introduced.