Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1225: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) is allowed to remain in the State while making an application to his Department to extend their stay in the State for a specific timeframe, especially due to the illness of their daughter-in-law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1716/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned was granted a C visit visa to enter the State for a period of three months. It now appears that she is seeking an extension of her permission to remain in the State. An examination of the papers in relation to the case indicates that the person concerned sought an extension of her C Visit Visa with the Immigration Division of my Department and was refused. Notification of this decision issued on the 4th January 2008.

A wrap-around information sheet accompanies every visa application form. That sheet makes it clear to the applicant that, in general, persons granted visas for particular purposes are not permitted to remain in the State for any purpose other than that for which the visa was granted. Every visa applicant is required to state on the application form the dates on which he or she proposes to enter and leave Ireland. He or she is also required to declare that the information supplied is correct and complete. A C Visa is granted for visits of less than 90 days. As a consequence it is not the general policy to extend permission to remain to persons who are admitted initially for a period of 90 days or less on a C visa, save in very exceptional and unforeseen circumstances.

The person concerned must leave and reapply from outside the State should she wish to return. She should include in her new visa application the purpose and duration of her intended stay.