Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
135. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons coming from Afghanistan to date that have been granted visa waivers to enter the Irish Refugee Protection Programme; if there are plans to issue more visa waivers for vulnerable groups and persons that do not qualify for the Afghan Admission Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5183/22]
View answer146. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons from Afghanistan that have been granted visa waivers to enter the Irish refugee protection programme given the present crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5137/22]
View answer173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons to date that have been granted visa waivers to enter the Irish Refugee Protection Programme in respect of persons fleeing the present crisis in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5213/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 146 and 173 together.
The Irish Government has provided letters of waiver to 532 people wishing to leave Afghanistan. Priority has been given to those whose lives are at risk and who are vulnerable.
To date, letters of waiver have been offered to the following:
- human rights defenders,
- those working for NGOs,
- members of the LGBTI community,
- women and girls at risk,
- members of the judiciary and journalists.
To date, 425 people have arrived in Ireland. My Department will continue to assist where possible and continue to offer sanctuary, where possible, within the resources available to the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.
