Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 500: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 1152 of 25 January 2006, when a holiday visa application will be lodged for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4986/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The visa applications in question have been assessed by my officers in New Delhi. In 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 available on that Department's website at 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 a visa is generally refused. The visa officer will expect to see sufficient evidence of the financial status of the application, in the form of P60 for the most recent tax year, several payslips, and detailed bank statements covering, at a minimum, a two to three month period. The documentation suppled should demonstrate a consistent financial history and evidence of regular income.

In the case of visa required family members of non-EEA national workers, the general rule is that after the worker has been in the State for 12 months and has been offered employment for a further 12 months, he or she may be joined by his or her family. This is subject to the worker being able to support the family without recourse to public funds.

The procedures for dealing with visa applications from family members of work permit holders who wish to join the worker in question in the State are under consideration as part of ongoing developments with the Irish naturalisation and immigration service. The visas have been refused for reasons of finances as it is evident from the financial information provided that the family can seek recourse to public funds and resources. It is open to the applicant to appeal the decision within two months of the notification of the refusal to New Delhi.