Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35238/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that an application for Family Reunification was made in April, 2006.

The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department. This application is in the final stages of processing and a decision will issue shortly.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of visa applications in respect of persons (details supplied); if these visa applications will be expedited in view of their age and desire to reunite with family members here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35254/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Visa Office, New Delhi on 27 December 2007. Both were refused by the Visa Officer on 5 February 2008.

The visas were sought to allow the applicants to join their adult children in Ireland, as dependants, on a long term basis. Taking into account migration patterns which would result in an unnecessary burden on public funds, and allowing for special procedures applied in the case of families of EU nationals resident in Ireland, it is the general policy of my Department not to grant visas that would enable parents to join their adult children in Ireland, as dependants, on a long term or permanent basis.