Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins DublinPeople granted refugee status will have to wait for three years before bringing relatives including spouses and children to Ireland under a planned tightening of family reunification rules. However, Mr O’Callaghan is expected to tell Cabinet of further restrictions: a general waiting period of three years for adult refugees before they can seek family reunification, which will also apply to immediate family members. A further tightening of family reunification rules will probably draw criticism from those working with refugees, who have already questioned the Government’s hardened stance on immigration. Immigration officials here fear that without significant numbers of voluntary returns, Ireland would struggle to hit targets set by the pact. However, only Schengen area countries are bound by these rules, and the Government believes Ireland has more flexibility to facilitate voluntary returns.

Source: The Irish Times January 12, 2026 10:31 UTC