556. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to extend the short stay visa waiver programme to South Africans; how often the list of eligible countries is updated; and the criteria used to decide the countries that will become eligible for this programme. [51137/26]

I can advise the Deputy that nationals of South Africa have been required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland since 10 July 2024. This was a carefully considered decision which brought Ireland into closer alignment with the Schengen Area and the UK.

The Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme is a non-reciprocal programme that allows for travel to Ireland for visa required nationals who are in possession of a valid UK visa and have landed first in the UK.

Ireland's visa regime is an essential part of our immigration system, helping to determine who can travel to the State. A wide range of factors are taken in account when considering changes to visa requirements to ensure our immigration controls remain robust, effective, and fair while facilitating legitimate travel.

Irish visa requirements are kept under ongoing review, having regard to the need to ensure that effective immigration controls are in place whilst also facilitating those who wish to travel to Ireland for the purposes of a visit, to work, to study or to join family members. Currently there are no plans to extend access to the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme to any other nationalities.

Full details of the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme are available at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-visit-ireland/short-stay-visa-waiver-programme/.