I thank the Deputy. As he will be aware, the humanitarian admissions programme prioritises at-risk individuals, human rights defenders, women's rights activists, LGBTQ+ individuals, judiciary and journalists for admission to Ireland as programme refugees. This is managed within the remit of the Irish refugee protection programme in the Department. Over 700 people from Afghanistan have been admitted to Ireland under this programme since its inception in 2021. Under the terms of the scheme the number of admissions available under the 2025 programme was set at 50 and the number of applications received exceeded that. Not all applications therefore were successful. The 2025 programme is now complete and arrangements are being made for Department officials to facilitate the arrivals of the remaining successful applicants. All applications submitted to the Department for consideration under the programme were subject to review by officials to ensure a fair process. The Department has committed to admitting 50 applicants under humanitarian admissions for both 2026 and 2027. Further information on the programme for 2026 will be made available shortly.

Sentiment score: 0.27

I fully understand and accept what the Deputy is saying about the situations people find themselves in. There is no question that I, and the people who are directly on the coalface of operating this scheme, really understand the implications of somebody being accepted or not accepted into the programme. However, as I outlined to the Deputy, the programme is a very specific programme in how it actually handles people. Someone who comes in under the programme is provided with a very comprehensive wraparound range of services, which includes everything from English-language provision to community supports and structures. This enables those who arrive under the programme to integrate into Ireland very quickly and fully. It is because of that and because of the capacity constraints within the ability to deliver that programme that we believe setting the figure at 50 on an incremental basis per year is the best way to ensure not only that are we bringing people in, which we want to do, but also that we are delivering fully to them the most comprehensive service as part of the programme when they arrive.

Sentiment score: 0.34

As the Deputy knows, we had an original programme in relation to Afghanistan. We have moved to this particular model for the reasons I outlined to the Deputy in my earlier contributions. I think it is important, having moved to that model and having moved to an assessment system which enables what we believe to be the fairest and most accurate assessment of who can come and who can qualify for it, that we continue with that model for the moment. I take on board what the Deputy is saying about the impact this has on extended families. Unfortunately this is a scheme for which so many people are deserving. In this country we operate it in conjunction with other countries around the world which have their own schemes in place to give that particular refugee status to people who are a very vulnerable cohort. For the moment I am happy that the scheme is operating in the most fair and effective way we can do it. I am always open to look at new ideas and new processes to ensure that in the future it continues to operate in that manner.

Sentiment score: 0.14