Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1092. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if the income requirement of €40,000 for family reunification will be reviewed to allow individuals in full-time employment within the State to reunite with their immediate family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1362/24]
View answerThe position in regard to applications for family reunification is set out in the Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification, which is available on my Department's website. The policy document sets out the rationale for applying resource requirements as part of the overall assessment of whether to approve an application for family reunification.
In general terms, the sponsor must demonstrate their capacity to provide for their family member(s) if they are to be granted a permission to come to Ireland. As a guideline, sponsors, regardless of occupation, must have a gross income in excess of that applied by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) in assessing eligibility for the Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement). In examining such applications, my Department applies the DSP income levels current at the time of assessment.
The family reunification policy, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review. That review is examining a range of matters relating to applications for family reunification including the nature and suitability of current income thresholds.
