Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a visa application has been refused to a person (details supplied). [39933/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The application in question was received by my Department on 7 September 2005.

When assessing applications of this type, 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 payment, FIS, have been used. The criteria, which may change from time to time, are availableon the Department's website www.welfare.ie/ publications/sw22.html.

Applicants are permitted to lodge an appeal within two months of the date of receipt of the notification of the decision to refuse, which in this case was 13 September 2005. There is no record of an appeal lodged in this case. It is open to the person concerned to make a fresh application supported by current documentation and background information and my Department will be happy to consider anew such an application.

The procedures for dealing with visa applications from family members of work permit holders who wish to join that worker in the State, including the income thresholds applicable, are currently under consideration as part of ongoing developments within the Irish naturalisation and immigration service.