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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Visa delay for GP's mother

Summary

Deputy Wynne describes a Clare GP whose mother's visitor visa appeal is delayed for many months, creating stress in a rural area short of doctors. The Tánaiste says GPs are vital, the process is independent, and the details can be forwarded for follow-up.

I raise a local GP issue that we have in County Clare. A local GP, who is a naturalised Irish citizen, applied in January for a visa for his mother to come to visit him. He was told in March that he needed more paperwork to prove his relationship and to show that she did not intend to overstay. All of that information was provided in April. The visa office recently advised that it is currently processing appeals for visas to visit families submitted in May 2023. This GP cannot apply again until his appeal is processed. We have a real deficit of GPs. We want to keep the ones we have. It is an issue to highlight to the Tánaiste. The wait time is very concerning, given that the visa office is only processing for May of last year now. This GP just wants to see his mam and spend two weeks with her. That is it. If there is anything that can be done in respect of that, it would be great.

Comment on this

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I understand fully the points she made. I do not know whether she has spoken to the Minister for Justice or the Minister of State at that Department about the case. Obviously, we need GPs. They are vital in rural Ireland in particular. I do not have the details of the case. In fairness, there is an independent process for the granting of visas and so on. If the Deputy forwards the details to me or the Minister for Justice, we might be able to progress it.

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