Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 694: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which he expects a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to send their children to fee-paying schools when there are no such schools in the area; if he will re-examine the application on foot of enclosures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10886/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I understand that the person in question entered the State on 7 November 2005 and was granted permission to remain until 7 February 2006 as a visitor on a self-sufficiency basis. The person concerned has now lodged an application with the immigration division of my Department to remain in the State.

It is important to emphasise that persons permitted to enter the State as visitors do not have an automatic entitlement to remain here thereafter. The permission to remain was granted in respect of the person concerned strictly on the grounds that she and her dependants cannot have access to State funds, services or benefits. They cannot, therefore, have an expectation, having been permitted to enter as visitors, to avail of State benefits and services which includes attending State funded schools.

It follows that the child of an individual in the State on a self-sufficiency basis is not entitled to attend a public-non-fee paying school. Should such an individual wish to enroll their child in the schooling system they would have to do this through a fee-paying school or fee-paying institution.

The immigration division of my Department is still awaiting a reply to the request for documentation as referred to by the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 695: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the matter of family reunification or residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10887/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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An application for family reunification was made by the person in question in May 2003. This application was refused and the person in question was notified of the decision in writing on 18 July 2005.