Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider an application for leave to enter by persons (details supplied). [14893/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The applications in question were received in my Department in February 2005. When assessing applications, the visa officer will consider, among other factors, whether the level of salary of the worker would come within the ambit of qualifying for payment from public funds. In this regard, the criteria set by the Department of Social and Family Affairs for eligibility for family income supplement, FIS, is used. The criteria, which may change from time to time, are available on that Department's website www.welfare.ie/publications/sw22.html.

If the level of the worker's income as evidenced by his or her payslips or P60 would qualify for FIS payments, the application for the visa is generally refused as it is evident that the family can seek recourse to public funds. The visa officer will expect to see sufficient evidence of the financial status of the applicant in the form of several payslips, and detailed bank statements covering at a minimum a two to three-month period. The documentation supplied should demonstrate a consistent financial history and evidence of regular income.

On the basis of the information supplied, the applications were refused as it was deemed that the respective spouses would be unable to support the applicants without recourse to public funds.

Each of the applicants received the reasons for refusal of the visa by post, which included information regarding the process of appeal of refusal decisions. As the time has elapsed for receipt of an appeal, it is now open to the applicants to make fresh applications with up-to-date supporting documentation and the applications will be considered anew.