Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 431: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current status of the visa application for a person (details supplied); the further time it will take before a decision is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3735/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The application in question was refused on 3 February 2005 and this decision will be communicated to the applicant as soon as possible via the Irish mission in the person's country of origin.

The application referred to by the Deputy was to allow a non-EEA national reside in the State with her grandson. In assessing any visa application, the visa officer will consider various matters, including whether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to conclude that the applicant would fully honour the conditions of the visa — for example, it is unlikely that the applicant would overstay the length of time applied for. The visa officer will also have regard to information provided and to such factors as the applicant's ties and general circumstances in her country of origin. The application was refused because the visa officer could not reasonably be satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicant would observe the conditions of the visa applied for. In particular, it was felt that the applicant had not displayed evidence of her obligations to return home following the proposed visit. It did not appear from the details supplied with the application that the visit was intended to be short-term in nature.

No documentation was supplied in respect of the applicant's reference in Ireland, namely the applicant's grandson. Therefore the immigration status of the reference in Ireland could not be determined, nor could the availability of sufficient finances to enable the support of the applicant without recourse to public funds, be established.

It is open to the applicant to appeal the decision to refuse the visa application. An appeal should be accompanied by any additional supporting documentation that the applicant feels will address the reasons for refusal, as stated above.