James Geoghegan
Ceist:917. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65170/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (917)
Freagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that the visit visa application referred to was created on 23 July 2026. Supporting documentation was received in the Nairobi office on 19 August 2026 where it awaits examination and processing.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. 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. Some applications can take longer than others if the Visa Office needs to seek further information or if the application is made during a busy time of year, e.g. before holiday periods.
Applicants are advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa. The person will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
It should be noted that Irish Embassies or Consulates abroad are under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Any queries regarding the operation of an Irish Embassy or Consulate abroad should be directed to my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
I can also advise the Deputy that a number of steps have been taken in recent years to upgrade the visa processing system to make it more efficient and easier for visitors from abroad to submit their visa applications for travel to Ireland; this has included the availability of services provided by VFS Global at their Visa Application Centres (VACs). It is important to state that the services provided by this organisation do not extend to making decisions on visa applications; such decisions are the sole remit of either the staff of my Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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: https://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.
Domestic Violence
Ceisteanna (918, 919)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:918. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to comment on the development status of women's refuges in the nine counties currently without a women's refuge; and the dates on which they can expect to see them opened. [65179/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRichard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:919. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to previous commitments (details supplied) the measures he will implement to ensure delivery of a women's refuge in Carlow by the current target of 2028, and to fast track urgent projects like these going forward. [65178/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 918 and 919 together.
This Government has taken unprecedented actions to tackle all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV). This includes increasing funding to almost €80 million under Budget 2026, to support Cuan and services working to tackle DSGBV and the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy. The increased funding for Cuan and community organisations that support victims and survivors will accelerate the delivery of safe accommodation, while also providing stronger supports for victims.
Refuge units and safe homes provide a vital place of safety for families in crisis. The Government is determined to continue to establish units across the country to ensure that those supports are available when they are most needed. At the start of the zero-tolerance strategy, there were 49 safe homes and 141 DV refuge units in place. By the end of 2026, the target is to increase this to 94 safe homes,193 refuge units, with an additional 50 units under construction. All refuges scheduled to open in 2026 are on track, including 12 units in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown expected to be operational in Q4 2026.
Cuan is collaborating with various stakeholders, including domestic violence services, Approved Housing Bodies, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and Local Authorities to facilitate local action and support service development and delivery of safe accommodation and ancillary services. Furthermore, Cuan continues to explore additional opportunities for developing domestic violence accommodation, especially in areas where such facilities are currently lacking, while also considering interim refuges and alternative accommodation for those fleeing domestic violence.
Work is also ongoing by Cuan to create a robust, scalable funding model, implement National Service Standards and develop a National Services Development Plan (NSDP). By working with partners across the sector, Cuan is building capacity, accelerating delivery of accommodation and ensuring that frontline professionals and support staff are trained to respond effectively.
In late July, with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I announced funding approval for a new domestic violence refuge in Carlow town. This approval has enabled Carlow County Council and Amber Women's Refuge CLG to progress plans for the delivery of the new refuge through the next stages of design, planning and procurement under the Capital Assistance Scheme. Subject to the completion of the necessary planning, design and procurement processes, construction of the development is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2028.
The are nine counties currently without a domestic violence refuge, they are; Carlow, Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon and Sligo. However, five of these counties have Safe Homes, which is another form of safe domestic violence accommodation. Work is underway to develop safe accommodation capacity in the remaining four counties; beginning with Leitrim and Laois, with Laois identified as a priority area for refuge development.
I am advised that Cuan is also working to support the provision of domestic violence accommodation in Cavan and Monaghan. Cuan is working with Safe Ireland to deliver six Safe Homes (three in Monaghan and three in Cavan), and an interim refuge in Monaghan. It is anticipated that these will be operational by the end of this year.
Cuan has further advised that the attached table provides details of domestic violence accommodation by county, as of Q3 2026.
Question No. 919 answered with Question No. 918.
Question No. 920 answered with Question No. 889.
Question No. 921 answered with Question No. 830.
Question No. 922 answered with Question No. 889.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (923, 950, 951, 952, 960)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:923. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of the serious delay in the processing of family reunification visas, with some regions reporting a two year wait; if he is aware of the disincentive this presents to highly skilled workers to remain in Ireland, including in the medical fields; if short stay visas may be made more easily and quickly obtainable for family visits to Ireland as an interim measure; and the measures that will be put in place to reduce this delay to a more reasonable timeframe. [65244/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:950. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason the published processing date for join family visa applications handled by the Dublin visa office, specifically matching the cohort around late April 2024, has failed to advance for a consecutive period of six weeks; the specific operational bottlenecks preventing these applications from being finalized; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65603/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCathal Crowe
Ceist:951. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason a significant disparity exists between the processing times for join family visas for dependents of critical skills employment permit holders, processed within 8–12 weeks, and those sponsored by Irish citizens or long-term residents which currently exceed 20 to 24 months; the total volume of standard join family visa applications currently awaiting a first-instance decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter [65602/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCathal Crowe
Ceist:952. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific volume of additional administrative and decision-making resources allocated to the Dublin visa office over the past 12 months to alleviate the backlog of family reunification visas; the reason these measures have failed to bring processing times down to his Department's own 12-month business target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65600/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Noel McCarthy
Ceist:960. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average processing time for join family long stay D-visa applications; and the measures being taken by his department to reduce processing times for such visas. [65685/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 923, 950, 951, 952 and 960 together.
Across all sectors of our economy, migrants make an important contribution to Irish society, our communities and public services. My Department is currently developing a National Migration and Integration Strategy to help ensure that Ireland is well placed to meet the opportunities and challenges of migration over the coming decade.
I fully recognise that join family visa applications are very important for the people involved. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland.
My Department operates seven overseas Visa Offices, as well as the Visa Office in Dublin. In addition, certain visa applications are processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department.
While processing times can vary between visa offices, most visa applications receive a decision within our published target times. Some applications can take longer, depending on the circumstances.
Processing times are influenced by a number of factors, including the complexity of the application, the volume of applications received, and the quality and completeness of the information provided.
It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
A Critical Skills Employment Permit holder can apply for join family visa at the same time as their employment visa. These applications can then be processed together and typically receive a first instance decision within the 10-12 week business target.
Applicants who submit join family visa applications separately will generally receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target.
I can further advise that current processing times and visa decisions at Visa Offices in Dublin and overseas can be viewed at:
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions
The date published on the Dublin decisions page is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure the Deputy that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.
In December 2025, the Immigration Service of my Department introduced online payment functionality to the Department's online visa system. This allows applicants to pay visa fees as part of the online application process. The initiative is being rolled out on a phased basis and is currently operational in 40 countries, with South Africa added in January 2026. This reduces the administrative burden on Irish Missions and visa teams and allows visa officers to dedicate more time to core application processing and decision-making, thereby supporting improved processing efficiency.
Furthermore, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing teams is intended to streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving service delivery for join family visa applications.
Detailed real-time figures on the number of pending applications on hand are not routinely compiled in a format that can be disaggregated in the manner requested by the Deputy. However, the tables below outline the average processing times for last year, and the number of applications received and processed, which provides an accurate indication of the scale of applications being managed.
Table 1. Join Family Visa applications received and processed.
|
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (to 31/08/26) |
|
Join Family applications Received |
11,944 |
18,358 |
19,119 |
21,859 |
19,309 |
11,076 |
|
1st Instance Decisions Issued |
11,235 |
17,196 |
16,907 |
18,556 |
15,505 |
5,304 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.
* Categories included above are Join Family Irish (Spouse, de facto, other) and Join Family Non-EEA (Spouse, de facto, other)
Table 2. Join Family visa application average processing times for 2025
|
Visa Type |
2025 Average Processing Time |
|
Join Family Irish (Spouse, de facto, other) |
263 days |
|
Join Family Non-EEA (Spouse, de facto, other) |
100 days |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* All figures are calendar days and based on a 7-day week. There is no allowance made for weekends, public, bank or religious holidays in the various jurisdictions.
Question No. 924 answered with Question No. 889.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (925)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:925. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average processing time for IRP renewals for each stamp category. [65291/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Registration Office provide a live application processing date broken down by stamp category, which is updated every Monday, and is available at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/
While my Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and peak application periods.
The Registration Office has also issued a notice to employers regarding the legality of employing someone awaiting renewal. If an employee’s IRP card has expired and they are unable to obtain a new one by the expiry date of their current IRP card, they are still legally permitted to remain in the State on their existing IRP card for a maximum of 12 weeks. This is subject to the applicant submitting their renewal application prior to their current IRP card expiring. Further information on this notice can be found here: http://www.irishimmigration.ie/notice-to-employers-regarding-employees-awaiting-renewal-of-their-irp-card/
In addition, customers may submit their renewal applications up to 12 weeks prior to expiry of permission, to allow sufficient time for an application to be reached and processed prior to a current permission expiring.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration 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/
Question No. 926 answered with Question No. 856.
Question No. 927 answered with Question No. 889.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (928)
Barry Ward
Ceist:928. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to the naturalisation application and the significant delays in the process for a person (details supplied); and the actions he will take to ensure that it is processed in a timely manner. [65359/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The naturalisation application referred to by the Deputy is at the decision making status.
The Citizenship Division will write immediately once a decision has been reached on this application.
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.
EU Presidency
Ceisteanna (929)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:929. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 59656/26 of 7 September 2026, the amount of the €125 million allocation to An Garda Síochána for EU Presidency policing and security that has been drawn down or expended to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65392/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the operational response to the policing and security of the State including the policing and security arrangements for Irelands Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
I secured €125 million in the Revised Estimates for 2026 for An Garda Síochána to cover the additional policing and security costs that are expected to arise. As of 31 August 2026, €24.198m has been spent by An Garda Síochána from the allocated EU Presidency budget.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 and as the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána under Section 72 of the Act is responsible for the Garda budget.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (930, 933)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:930. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 63165/26 of 7 September 2026, the measures being taken to reduce the average period of 56 to 57 days between the completion of a custodial sentence and the enforcement of a removal or deportation order; the number of persons subject to a valid deportation or removal order who were released from custody prior to removal in each of the years 2023 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65390/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:933. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 63167/26 of 7 September 2026, the amount reclaimed, or expected to be reclaimed, under the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund in respect of the charter flight operations conducted on grounds of criminality in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65388/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 930 and 933 together.
Under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), my Department can reclaim up to 75% of costs related to the removal or return of Third Country Nationals from the State.
My Department has identified four areas in respect of which these costs can be recouped:
Charter Operations,
Commercial Flight costs,
Garda National Immigration Bureau escort duties and
Reintegration Service provider fees.
Claims are submitted to the AMIF Managing Authority and are audited and submitted at regular intervals. Charter operations to other EU member States under the Free Movement of Persons Regulations 2015 cannot be considered for this AMIF.
To date, no reclaim request has been submitted for Charter operations in 2026. On 28 July 2026, my Department participated in the Frontex led Joint Return Operation to Nigeria. Invoicing for this operation has yet to be finalised. Once completed, a proportion can be reclaimed under the EU AMIF.
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
The removal of people who are involved in criminality and those who are a danger to society is a priority for me as Minister and my Department works closely with An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service to ensure high risk persons are prioritised for removal from Ireland.
If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals.
When a Deportation Order or a Removal Order is imposed on individuals involved in criminality, whether while serving a custodial sentence or while in the community, their removal from the State becomes an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
The table below sets out the number of people removed to 4th September 2026.
|
|
Deportation Orders |
Removal Orders |
|
The number of people removed on grounds of criminality* |
70 |
107 |
|
Those removed from the State prior to the end of their custodial sentence. |
28 |
73 |
|
The number of individuals released from custody prior to their removal. ** |
16 |
25 |
The table below sets out the number of people removed on grounds of criminality in 2025.
|
|
Deportation Orders |
Removal Orders |
|
The number of people removed on grounds of criminality* |
74 |
56 |
|
Those removed from the State prior to the end of their custodial sentence. |
38 |
42 |
|
The number of individuals released from custody prior to their removal. ** |
15 |
3 |
The table below sets out the number of people removed on grounds of criminality in 2024.
|
|
Deportation Orders |
Removal Orders |
|
The number of people removed on grounds of criminality* |
22 |
19 |
|
Those removed from the State prior to the end of their custodial sentence. |
15 |
16 |
|
The number of individuals released from custody prior to their removal. ** |
0 |
2 |
The table below sets out the number of people removed on grounds of criminality in 2023.
|
|
Deportation Orders |
Removal Orders |
|
The number of people removed on grounds of criminality* |
16 |
21 |
|
Those removed from the State prior to the end of their custodial sentence. |
10 |
14 |
|
The number of individuals released from custody prior to their removal. ** |
3 |
7 |
* Please note that not all people removed from the state on grounds of criminality received custodial sanctions.
** Please note that the above table reflects individuals who had orders imposed while serving a custodial sentence and were then subsequently released from custody.
The above figures are subject to change as information becomes available and data is cleansed.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (931, 932)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:931. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of D study visa applications received each year for the past five years, in tabular form; and the number of D study visa applications approved each year for the past five years, in tabular form. [65405/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeán Crowe
Ceist:932. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to report on the increased rate of refusal for D study visa applications for this academic year and the delay in processing applications which has left third level institutions uncertain as to student numbers; if there has been a change in the way in which the criteria for acceptance are being scrutinised; and if he will provide clarity to third level institutions as to the changes which have been made. [65404/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 931 and 932 together.
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based.
Visa and preclearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland for employment, study and family reasons and also to facilitate visitors who wish to travel for business and/or tourism. These are important screening processes, designed to establish that a person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system. Each visa application is assessed on its own merits, taking all relevant information into consideration at that time.
All visa applicants are advised that the responsibility is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are available on the Immigration Service website. People that carefully follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision.
I can assure the Deputy that while processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. However, some applications can take considerably longer. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete. I can confirm that there has been no recent change to visa processing procedures, approval criteria or documentation requirements in any of the Department's Visa Offices.
In 2025, approximately 206,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 2% compared to 2024, with over 3,900 additional applications received. This follows a 21% increase in applications in 2024 compared to 2023. In the first six months of 2026, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 102,000 visa applications and has issued approximately 85,200 decisions.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices (including study visas) can be checked at the following link:
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
Table 1. Long Stay (D) study visas received, granted and refused, 2020 - 2026 (up to 31/08/26)
|
Study Visa Applications Long Stay (D) |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 ( 31/08) |
|
Applications Received |
8,226 |
14,783 |
20,926 |
24,159 |
31,181 |
26,254 |
17,299 |
|
Applications Granted |
6,909 |
11,316 |
16,345 |
17,071 |
20,015 |
17,260 |
8,456 |
|
Applications Refused |
1,069 |
1,175 |
2,945 |
5,511 |
7,849 |
10,309 |
6,127 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.
Question No. 932 answered with Question No. 931.