Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a joint spouse visa will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6651/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The visa application in question was to enable the wife of a non-EEA national employed under the employment permit scheme to reside with him in the State. A worker employed under the employment permit scheme may be joined by his or her spouse and minor children after the worker has been in the State for one year and has been offered a contract for a further year. The worker must also be able to fully support the family members in question without the need to have recourse to public funds.

In this case, the application was refused on 28 January 2005 as the visa officer was unable to establish, based on the documentation supplied, that the worker in question was in a position to fully support his wife while in the State. Additionally, the level of supporting documentation available did not allow the visa officer to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the applicant would necessarily adhere to the conditions of the visa applied for. The absence of an original marriage certificate was also noted.

A letter was issued to the applicant on 3 February informing her of the decision to refuse her application. On 10 February the applicant was informed of the reasons for refusal as outlined above. It is now open to the applicant to appeal this decision in writing. Any such appeal should be accompanied by additional supporting documentation that is felt will address the reasons for refusal given by my Department.