Keeping families together. Opposing new restrictions.
What is happening now
The Government has announced plans to introduce new restrictions on refugee family reunification.
Under the proposed changes:
- Recognised refugees would be required to wait two years before applying to bring their spouse or children to Ireland.
- Refugees would have to meet financial thresholds, and proposed provisions would restrict access for those in receipt of certain social welfare supports.
Why this matters
When Ireland recognises someone as a refugee, it formally accepts that they cannot safely return home because they face persecution. That risk is often shared by family members.
Delaying family reunification is not a technical change. It means:
- Children remaining in dangerous or unstable situations for additional years.
- Parents living in prolonged uncertainty about the safety of their family.
- Families separated for close to four years in practice, once waiting periods and processing times are combined.
Family reunification is one of the few safe and legal routes available to people affected by conflict and persecution. When legal pathways are delayed or restricted, families do not stop trying to reunite, the risks shift elsewhere such as dangerous journeys on risking trafficking and exploitation.
Financial and social welfare restrictions
The proposal to link family reunification to income thresholds and social welfare status raises serious concerns.
Refugees often leave the protection system facing barriers to stable employment and housing. Conditioning family reunification on immediate financial self-sufficiency risks excluding:
- People on low incomes,
- Refugees with disabilities,
- Lone parents,
- Families relying on lawful housing or income supports designed to prevent poverty.
Access to disability payments, housing assistance or income supports should not become a barrier to restoring family unity. These measures risk creating a two-tier system in which only those who secure stable employment quickly can exercise their right to live with their spouse and children.
Our position
We are calling for:
- No blanket waiting period for recognised refugees.
- No exclusion from family reunification based on lawful receipt of social welfare or disability supports.
Background: How we got here
The International Protection Act 2015 significantly restricted family reunification for refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. It narrowed the definition of eligible family members and introduced a strict 12-month deadline to apply after status is granted.
Since 2015, Nasc has campaigned to restore and expand family reunification rights, including the removal of the 12-month time limit and broader recognition of family relationships.
The current proposals represent a further tightening of those already restricted rights.
Take Action
If you are concerned about these changes:
- Contact your local TD and ask them to oppose a two-year waiting period and financial exclusions.
- Share our campaigns on social media and raise awareness about the impact on refugee families.
