120. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Justice when he will publish the review of the family reunification process that his Department recently undertook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25027/25]

Sentiment score: 0.18

When does the Minister of State plan to publish the review the Department undertook on the family reunification process? I understand the review was completed months ago but still has not been published. I would be grateful if he could give an exact timeline as there are many people waiting on its publication.

Sentiment score: 0.15

Before I became a TD five months ago, I was a healthcare worker in a dementia unit. I had the privilege of working with healthcare workers from many different countries. Unfortunately, many of them are undergoing an horrific experience of being separated from their families, sometimes for years, because of the unfair family reunification system in this country. There are people who are doing essential jobs who have been recruited in Ireland because we cannot fill these jobs ourselves. These people are doing essential jobs and are part of our community. People are being denied their basic right to have their family with them because they do not earn a high enough salary because of the types of jobs the are in. Relationships are being torn apart. Everyone deserves to have their family with them when it comes to living and working in Ireland. Will the Minister of State undertake this essential work and please help these families? Will he commit to publishing this review as soon as possible and changing this unfair reunification system?

Sentiment score: -0.09

I have been in touch with the Department about a healthcare worker whose family reunification application was refused because she took a brief drop in income last year due to her pregnancy. She should not be penalised for that or anything like that. It is a time when she should be able to access that family support. I ask the Minister of State to look into this woman’s appeal and to consider abolishing the income threshold for family reunification altogether. I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge our migrant healthcare workers and all the amazing work they do in our country. They prop up our healthcare system and it is time they get the recognition they deserve. I also ask the Department to look into a specific case of a woman and her 13-year-old daughter who faces abuses and being married off by her father should she be forced to return to South Africa. This is an emergency case. I have emailed the Minister of State the details and I ask him to look into the details if he can.

Sentiment score: -0.01