Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
580. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the indicative decision timeline for the Afghan Admission Programme; when she expects all applicants to have received a decision in respect of their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27564/22]
View answer581. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice her plans to extend the Afghan Admission Programme beyond the original 500, to meet the number of eligible applications received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27565/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 581 together.
In response to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, I opened the special Afghan Admission Programme for applications on 16 December 2021. The Programme closed on 11 March 2022 and my Department is currently processing the 528 applications received.
The Programme enables current or former Afghan nationals living legally in Ireland to apply to have certain close family members come to live with them in Ireland. As you will appreciate, no immigration programme can be unlimited in scope. In line with policy considerations, certain conditions apply. The Programme has been developed to allow as many families as possible the opportunity to have some family members join them here in Ireland.
The eligibility criteria requires that the proposer must be able to maintain their nominated family members, including providing them with accommodation. They would also be responsible for covering all travel costs to Ireland, if approved.
Officials in my Department are currently processing all of the applications received and expect to issue decisions in the coming months.
