319. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department will ensure two join family visa applications can be examined and expedited (details supplied). [52346/26]

I can advise the Deputy that the visa applications referred to were created on 26 April 2026. Supporting documentation was received in the Bogota office on 20 May 2026. The applications have been forwarded to the Dublin Visa Office for examination and processing.

My Departments business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service and some applications can take longer than others. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.

While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing; it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these applications will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.

While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.

The current processing times for Dublin visa decisions is available here:

www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/

The date published on the website is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.

I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland, and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.

The people concerned can now directly check the status of their visa applications on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing accounts, at: [www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/]

As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.