Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
91. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of visas that were applied for in 2014, 2015 and 2016; the categories under which; the waiting time for each category; her plans to reduce waiting times for each category; the reason the delays generally arise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13702/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table.
I am also advised that decisions regarding the grant or refusal of visas are made in a number of INIS Visa Offices overseas, the INIS Visa Office in Dublin, and at Embassies of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which process certain visa applications under delegated sanction from my Department. The waiting time for visa decisions are published on the Visa pages of each Visa Office and Embassy website. However, it should be noted that target times for the processing of visas are established as a business target and do not constitute a legal obligation. These business targets reflect the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications.
More generally, the processing time for visas in each location will vary based on a number of factors such as the number of applications, seasonal pressures, the complexity of the applications, whether further information or investigation is required, and the resources available. While every effort is made to process such applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary during the year and from one location to another.
The central concern, as with all visa services worldwide, in deciding on visa applications is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.
|
Purpose |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
|
Visit |
54,662 |
49,548 |
45,063 |
|
Business |
18,137 |
16,391 |
15,848 |
|
Study |
12,268 |
12,263 |
12,535 |
|
Conference/Event |
10,499 |
8,874 |
8,419 |
|
Join Family (under national legislation) |
7,505 |
6,322 |
5,571 |
|
Join Family (EU Free Movement) |
7,295 |
9,965 |
1,771 |
|
Employment |
4,614 |
3,142 |
2,588 |
|
Training |
1,980 |
2,226 |
2,199 |
|
Performance/Tournament |
1,888 |
1,525 |
1,268 |
|
Re-entry |
44,812 |
40,491 |
37,109 |
|
Other |
5,377 |
5,434 |
6,320 |
|
Total |
169,037 |
156,181 |
138,691 |
