419. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to consider an application for a family reunification for family members (details supplied) given they are Gazan refugees and have been considered refugees by UNRWA. [66393/26]

The application referred to by the Deputy was considered in accordance with the relevant legislative provisions governing family reunification and was refused as the persons concerned did not come within the categories of eligible family members. This was outlined to the applicant in the decision letter issued to them at the time.

The Deputy may wish to note that the International Protection Act 2026 came into operation on 12 June 2026. Applications for family reunification made on or after that date are considered under the provisions of the 2026 Act, including section 205 which provides for applications by beneficiaries of international protection in respect of certain family members. Should the person cited wish to explore their options in relation to family reunification in the future, they should have regard to the provisions of the 2026 Act.

Information on the provisions of the Act, including the categories of family members who may be eligible for consideration, is available at the following link: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2026/act/9/enacted/en/html.

More generally, eligibility for family reunification is determined by the requirements set out in the relevant legislation and not by a person's nationality, place of residence, or registration status with any international organisation. Accordingly, registration with UNRWA, of itself, does not confer an entitlement to family reunification in the State. Applications are assessed by reference to the statutory criteria set out in the relevant legislation.