Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
464. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a family has recently been reunified to a homeless situation; his views on whether this practice is appropriate; and the steps that can be taken to ensure that this practice does not continue. [35895/18]
View answerFamily reunification with non-EEA/Swiss national family members is available for Irish nationals and various categories of migrants and beneficiaries of international protection, with different procedures governing each of these categories.
Sections 57 and 58 of the 2015 International Protection Act set out the provisions for family reunification for beneficiaries of international protection. Other humanitarian initiatives such as the Irish Humanitarian Protection Programme and its predecessor the Syrian Humanitarian Admission Programme also provide for family reunification.
Family reunification for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals (excluding Irish nationals ) is enshrined in European Union Directive 2004/38/EC, given effect in Ireland by the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015. Details on family reunification for Irish nationals and non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can be found in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification, on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration (INIS) website.
It is not clear from the Deputy's question which of these categories of family reunification is being referred to and as the services and supports available vary between categories, it is not possible to provide a more detailed response to this question. However, it is the case that persons can fall into homelessness for a wide range of reasons regardless of their nationality.
