Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
395. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to issues experienced by foreign nationals while travelling (details supplied); and her plans to alleviate the problem, including by issuing visas to minors. [3732/24]
View answerMy Department is familiar with the issues referred to by the Deputy.
The re-entry visa requirements for children under 16 were suspended in 2022. The processing of these applications required customers to submit their passports and suspending these requirements for children under 16 allowed my Department to minimise or avoid potential disruption to customers and their travel plans.
Children under 16 who are currently residing in the State and who wish to re-enter the State, must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian who holds an in date immigration permission to reside in the State. The adult accompanying the child must also provide appropriate documentation to prove they are the legal parent or guardian of the child in question.
My Department has advised all airlines and foreign missions of the suspended re-entry visa initiative in place. Those who are travelling may rely on the published notice on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/suspension-of-re-entry-visa-requirements-for-children-under-the-age-of-16-years/.
After a recent communication with the Indian embassy, the Department has again contacted all airlines to highlight the Irish entry policy for legally resident minor children who are returning to Ireland from abroad.
In light of the issues raised, my Department is reviewing the arrangements in place in this regard.
