421. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration If consideration has been given to the impact of the €75,000 three-year income threshold for non-EEA family reunification on recipients of Carer's Allowance whose employment is restricted under State rules; and whether any discretion or exceptional circumstances provisions exist in such cases. [66479/26]

The visa application referred to by the Deputy was submitted on 1 August 2026 and is currently awaiting processing.

I can advise the Deputy that the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification sets out a comprehensive framework to facilitate applications for family reunification while striking a balance between the right to family life and the economic interests of the State. It is a core principle of the Policy that a sponsor must assume primary financial responsibility for any joining family members, thereby minimising the risk of reliance on State resources. The recent adjustments to the financial criteria, including the gross cumulative income threshold of €75,000 over a three-year period for an Irish citizen sponsoring a spouse, reflect significant changes in the cost of living and the cost of essential services.

I wish to state clearly that the financial thresholds outlined in the policy do not operate as an automatic bar, nor do they discriminate against individuals in receipt of Carer's Allowance. In accordance with standard practice under Section 10 of the Policy, the baseline assessment focuses on primary earned income, exclusive of State welfare payments. However, the Policy does not impose rigid prohibitions in this area. Every application for family reunification is subject to a case-by-case assessment. Where a sponsor is a full-time carer and in receipt of Carer's Allowance, the application is not summarily refused. Instead, decision-makers conduct a full qualitative review of the applicant’s overall material circumstances.

In a case such as that described, immigration officers evaluate the broader context of the application. This includes:

• Assessing any supplementary income or declared and verifiable savings by the sponsor/family member

• Reviewing the sponsor's employment history in the State;

• Assessing potential future employability or changes in income; and

• Examining the specific care-giving responsibilities and unique vulnerabilities within the immediate family unit.

Furthermore, exceptional circumstances are provided for in Section 13 of the Policy. However, the consideration of rare and exceptional circumstances will always be subject to the application establishing that the family relationship is valid and genuine; and one where there is dependency. The exceptional circumstances must refer to the specific exceptional circumstances of the sponsor/family member concerned.

The revised Policy Document is available at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Family-Reunification-Policy-12-June-2026.pdf.