Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022
388. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 5 July 2022, the status of the Afghan Admissions Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra389. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 5 July 2022, the number of persons who have arrived in Ireland further to the Afghan Admissions Programme which opened in December 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46799/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra390. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 5 July 2022, when it is anticipated that all applications to the Afghan Admissions Programme will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46800/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra391. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 5 July 2022, the total number of applications received for the Afghan Admissions Programme; the number refused; the number granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46801/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 to 391, inclusive, together.
In response to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the Department of Justice remains focused on processing applications for family reunification made under all admission avenues, including the Afghan Admissions Programme for family members of Afghan nationals living in Ireland. A total of 528 applications have been received under the Programme. The applications continue to be assessed in a pragmatic and humanitarian manner with a view to issuing decisions as soon as possible.
In addition, since the beginning of August 2021 to 26 September 2022, a total of 140 join family visas have been approved for Afghan nationals and 77 family reunification applications have been approved.
A significant number of Afghan people have also been allocated places under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP), which is under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality. Disability, Integration and Youth. My Department provides the visas to facilitate their travel to Ireland and almost 600 visa waiver letters have been issued to date.
