Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
167. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application for a join family visa in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1243/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the Visa Office is currently experiencing delays in processing such applications due to the large volumes of applications of this type received particularly since the second quarter of 2015.
As proceedings in relation to a number of similar such applications are currently before the courts, the Deputy will appreciate that I am somewhat limited in what I can say on the matter.
However, as outlined in my reply to a previous Question on the case, there has been an exponential increase in the number of such applications. While every effort generally is made to process these applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of applications, their complexity, the possible need for the Visa Office to investigate, enquire into, or seek further information in relation to certain applications, and the resources available. Unfortunately, due to the large number of applications waiting to be processed and the fact that such applications are processed in chronological order (i.e. based on date order of receipt), I cannot at this time give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited. In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie
