Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will extend the visa of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for six months in order that they can go home to have medical treatment or alternatively provide them with a ticket home. [20612/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to the replies to Question No. 567 of 17 April 2008 and Question No. 526 of 20 May 2008. I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that permission to remain is only granted for periods of time spent in the State and that if the person referred to in the Deputy's Question wishes to leave the State for medical attention, he may do so. If he wishes to return at a future date he should apply to the nearest Irish Embassy for the appropriate visa to re-enter the State. My Department does not meet the travel costs of those wishing to return voluntarily to their home country. Assistance with travel costs and travel documents may be provided through the International Organisation for Migration Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme, where an application is made under the Programme and receives approval. However, it should be noted that this Programme is only open to asylum seekers and irregular migrants from non-EEA countries who want to return permanently to their country of origin but do not have the means and/or travel documentation to do so.