Permits Foundation (Stichting Permits)

Lobbying Organisation Permits Foundation

Date published 23 Apr, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details Request to reduce lengthy processing times for family visa applications

Intended results In this letter to the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Permits Foundation requests confirmation that reducing family processing times is being considered a priority. We would welcome clarity around the measures being taken and when processing times might be brought within the government’s own targets.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Helen Frew

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Processing times for join family visas are extremely long. Impacted applications include family members of employment permit holders, family members of Irish, EEA, and UK nationals. As it falls within the remit of the Ministry of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, an email with the letter in attachment was sent to Minister O'Callaghan. Some of the issues also relate to International Development and Diaspora and so Minister Richmond also received an email with the letter (both sent 23/04/25).

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Jim O'Callaghan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Neale Richmond Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)