Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West, Aindrias Moynihan has called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to urgently address delays in granting visas for workers from the Philippines wanting to come and work in Ireland.
Deputy Moynihan, who brought the issue up directly with the Minister in Dáil Eireann, commented, “The main issue is that work permits have been issued for these people, but there is a delay in the Philippines with getting the necessary visa to enter Ireland. The delay is with completing consular interviews in the Philippines for the persons with valid work permits.”
The Cork North West TD added: “I urge the Minister to intervene and resolve the issue as soon as possible. Many of these workers are urgently needed in the healthcare sector and it is having a very real impact on the level of care the sector is able to provide.”
In response, the Minister stated that there has been a significant post-pandemic surge in visa applications across Ireland’s mission network. High levels of demand for employment visas, in particular, are expected to continue, and the Philippines has been identified as a source of solutions to address human resource needs in Ireland in a number of vital sectors, including healthcare.
The Minister added that ensuring a timely response to visa queries and applications is a high priority for missions abroad. Customers are asked to take careful note of the estimated processing times advised by missions and to apply in good time, bearing in mind that a mission can only begin the processing of a visa application when all required documentation has been submitted in full and the fee paid.
