917. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65170/26]

I can advise the Deputy that the visit visa application referred to was created on 23 July 2026. Supporting documentation was received in the Nairobi office on 19 August 2026 where it awaits examination and processing.

It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. 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. Some applications can take longer than others if the Visa Office needs to seek further information or if the application is made during a busy time of year, e.g. before holiday periods.

Applicants are advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa. The person will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.

It should be noted that Irish Embassies or Consulates abroad are under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Any queries regarding the operation of an Irish Embassy or Consulate abroad should be directed to my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

I can also advise the Deputy that a number of steps have been taken in recent years to upgrade the visa processing system to make it more efficient and easier for visitors from abroad to submit their visa applications for travel to Ireland; this has included the availability of services provided by VFS Global at their Visa Application Centres (VACs). It is important to state that the services provided by this organisation do not extend to making decisions on visa applications; such decisions are the sole remit of either the staff of my Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The person concerned can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: https://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.