Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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333. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the average length of time for an application under the Afghan Admission Programme; the average length of time for the provision of a PPS number under the same programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49459/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that my Department does not collate data on average processing times for the Afghan Admission Programme (AAP). This Programme opened for applications on 16 December 2021. The Programme closed for applications on the 11 March 2022.

A total of 528 applications in respect of 1,492 potential beneficiaries were received under the Programme.

My Department issued the first approval under the Programme on 14 November 2022. As of 8 November 2023 we have issued 234 positive decisions in respect of 623 beneficiaries.

A further 32 negative decisions in respect of 109 individuals have been issued under the terms of Programme. In addition, a further 68 applicants have been informed that their applications in respect of 183 individuals were not eligible under the terms of the Programme. As of 8 November 2023, my Department has 178 applications in respect of 555 beneficiaries in processing. My Department continues to process the remaining applications and will notify all applicants as soon as is practicable. It is currently anticipated that the AAP will be largely concluded by the end of 2023.

I can also advise that if an applicant has received a negative decision in respect of their application to the AAP it is open to them to appeal this decision. The appeal must be submitted on the appeal form within 20 working days of the date of the decision letter. Further details together with a link to the appeal form can be found at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/the-afghan-admission-programme-information-page/the-afghan-admission-programme-aap-appeals/

My Department has no role in the issuing of PPS Numbers. This is a matter for the Department of Social Protection (DSP).