The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, has confirmed that Ireland is the only EU member state to date that is currently in the process of establishing a specific Afghan admission programme following the takeover of the state in August in by the Taliban.
She has said her goal is to make the process “as easy and as straightforward as possible, so that those who need it the most can apply and that their family members can apply on their behalf.”
Although the Afghan admission programme was announced by government in September, Minister McEntee says that the programme, including the detailed eligibility criteria and the application process, is still not open.
The Department of Justice is understood to be finalising the process with a view to opening it for applications in the coming weeks.
Minister McEntee also confirmed that the Afghan admission programme, which will provide places for up to 500 Afghan family members to travel to Ireland will also allow each applicant an opportunity to nominate up to four family members who are currently residing in Afghanistan or who have fled to neighbouring territories and whose freedom or safety the applicant considers to be especially at risk.
Eligible family members will be granted a residence permission that allows them immediate access to the labour market, without the need for an employment permit.
The Afghan admission programme is distinct from applications made through the International Protection system and all current immigration avenues for fleeing Afghan nationals remain open to new applications.
These include visa and family reunification applications. It is understood that more than 750 Afghan nationals have been granted permission to reside in the State so far this year alone.
Minister McEntee said that government are trying to make process “as easy and as straightforward as possible, so that those who need it the most can apply and that their family members can apply on their behalf.”
The Minister further noted that “we do not want families to be split up so we will make sure that that does not happen.”
“We know there are certain groups of people, in particular women and children, who are more at risk. That said, if a family comprises a father, mother and children, obviously they will not be separated. We need to balance a speedy application process with the need to make sure that we have robust measures in place and that we can establish the beneficiaries and their relationship with the sponsoring family here in Ireland. That is very clear.”