Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2024
35. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of people currently in Gaza who have permission to remain in Ireland, or who have a visa to live, study or work in Ireland; the steps being taken by her Department to assist them in exiting Gaza; the details of any engagement between her Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in this regard since October 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8203/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance. My Department is in regular contact with the Embassy of Ireland in Israel regarding a number of visa applications, from residents of Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. The Embassy are actively engaging with the applicants to gather the required documents to ensure that the Visa Division of this Department have everything needed progress these applications. My Department have no information or statistics on the number of people currently in Gaza that may have permission to live in Ireland or a visa to travel to Ireland. Any person that is issued a visa to travel to the State to live, study or work may travel at any time between the dates of validity shown on the visa sticker. They do not have to inform my Department of their intended date of departure or destination. I understand from colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs that a small number of Irish citizens or immediate dependants of Irish citizens remain in Gaza. That Department continues to advocate with the authorities in relation to those who have not yet been able to leave, including the immediate dependants of Irish citizens.
