Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the persons referred to by the Deputy were previously granted permission to remain in the State on student conditions and that they have subsequently failed to comply with the Immigration Regulations regarding their permission to remain in the State.

Permission to remain was granted to them strictly on the grounds that they cannot have access to State funds, services or benefits. They cannot therefore have an expectation, having been granted permission to remain on a self sufficiency basis, to avail of State benefits and services including attending State-funded schools.

It follows that the child of individuals 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 school system they are required to do this through a fee-paying school or fee-paying institution.

Notwithstanding, permission to remain in the State to the second named person was granted up until 31 July 2008 because she already had dependents in the State attending publicly-funded schools. The first named person should now present himself to his local immigration officer to be stamped up to the same date. Further permission will be granted after this date only on production of evidence that their child is no longer attending a State-funded school.