The Irish government has provided an additional 150 humanitarian visas for Afghans under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).
The allocation of up to 150 refugee resettlement places under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme is in addition to 45 visas already approved in recent days for Afghans in similar circumstances.
Speaking at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the crisis in Afghanistan, Ireland's representatives strongly condemned the attacks perpetrated against civilians and called for an immediate end to violence and intimidation.
In a statement released, the Department of Foreign Affairs said: "Ireland specifically condemned attacks targeted against women and girls and joined other Council members in calling for safe and reliable humanitarian access, and for the work of all relevant UN agencies and humanitarian partners to be facilitated without exception."
The government has said that it will provide practical support to some of those under threat from the Taliban by providing for their resettlement in Ireland.
Priority will be given to those working on human rights issues, including the rights of women and girls, as well as those working with NGOs and European and international organisations.
The Department of Justice is also prioritising the processing of family reunification and visa applications for Afghan nationals on hand, which is expected to result in a further approximately 150 people being granted permission to enter Ireland.
Earlier today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he is "deeply concerned" by the events unfolding in Afghanistan in recent days.
The Taliban are attempting to seize Afghanistan's capital Kabul after taking control of every other major city as local security forces are left to fend for themselves.
The insurgents are entering the city from all sides, officials have confirmed.
On Sunday the Taliban seized the eastern city of Jalalabad without a fight, narrowing the area controlled by the crumbling government.
It followed the Taliban's seizure of the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif late on Saturday, also with little fighting.
The statement adds that Ireland will continue to be a strong advocate for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and stressed the importance of upholding the fundamental human rights of all people living in Afghanistan.
Minister Coveney will take part tomorrow in an emergency meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, to discuss EU responses to the crises in Afghanistan, and its disproportionate impact on women, girls and minorities.
The statement concludes by saying: "The Government will continue to closely monitor developments in Afghanistan and will work closely with our EU and other partners, to defend human rights and fundamental freedoms at a global level and to provide safe refuge to those who need it most at this perilous time."
