Middle East

Tuesday, 1 October 2024

Ceisteanna (326)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

326. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number of Palestinian citizens given advance clearance to relocate to Ireland while still in the Palestinian regions under Israeli attack, Gaza and the West Bank in particular, as programme refugees, family reunification, medical emergency or some such other status, in the past year; and the number that have been able to avail of these offers and have located here, in tabular form. [38566/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Immigrations permissions for persons to travel to Ireland are granted through a number of different pathways.

There were approximately 450 visas granted in the last 12 months to Palestinians. These include people who applied for visas to come to Ireland to join family, to study or to engage in employment. The visa granted figure above may include applications from Palestinian nationals that are legally resident outside Gaza or the West Bank.

I can further advise the Deputy that responsibility for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) and the subsequent responsibility for recognition and registration of Programme Refugees transferred from my Department to the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth on 14 October 2020.