Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the service provided by volunteers from abroad to organisations (details supplied) whose work assists people with intellectual difficulties; if he will ensure that the Immigration and Residency Bill as currently drafted will not adversely affect those who volunteer with such organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33344/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish immigration system facilitates migration to the State having regard to a number of factors including the economic and social needs of the State and its residents. Where a need is identified the immigration authorities can, and do, respond to facilitate such migration in an orderly and proper manner and in conformity with normal immigration controls.

I am aware that volunteers with the organisation to which the Deputy refers have traditionally been facilitated within this framework. Where a permission is granted to persons who are undertaking voluntary work it is done so on the basis that they or the organisation concerned have sufficient funds to maintain the volunteer while in the State without recourse to State funds. I understand that volunteers with the organisation referred to have been given permission to come to Ireland to work under those conditions.

With regard to the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008, I should point out that the Bill provides a statutory framework which will support the immigration policies of the State as may be settled from time to time. Immigration policy is kept under constant review and, where a need is identified, amended and updated accordingly. In this regard, I can inform the Deputy that while immigration policy in relation to volunteer work remains under review, I have no proposals at this time to amend policy in this area.