Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm the position in relation to religious volunteers and missionaries who come to Ireland on behalf of their respective churches and where such persons are fully supported financially and are not a burden economically to this State, in so far as their being allowed to stay beyond a three year remit is concerned; if such persons are entitled to re-enter Ireland on the basis of supported and vouched missionary responsibilities from their respective churches for a second three year period; if his attention has been drawn to the number of churches so affected (details supplied); if non-EU Roman Catholic missionaries are required to leave Ireland after three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7141/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Non-EEA religious and volunteer workers who, for immigration purposes, register their presence in the State are granted Stamp 3 which indicates that they are not entitled to participate in the labour market and that they are dependent on their employing church or organisation for their upkeep, finances and medical needs. The persons concerned must not be an economic burden on the State.

Although the policy was to permit such persons remain in the State for a maximum period of 3 years, the vast majority of religious and volunteer workers were granted renewal of their permission to remain on an annual basis in excess of that period. More recently, a number of religious and volunteer workers were refused registration for immigration purposes as those persons were in excess of 3 years in the State. Their cases were subsequently referred for further consideration to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service for a decision as to whether to renew their permission to remain. The applications were considered on a case by case basis and the majority of the persons concerned were allowed remain in the State for a further period of 1 year.

In regard to non-EU Roman Catholic missionaries they have been and are treated in the same way as outlined above. Officials of my Department met with representatives of the various churches referred to in the Deputy's Question. My officials are reviewing the immigration policy and arrangements which should apply to various classes of migrants including religious and volunteer workers. The submissions made by the churches referred to by the Deputy will be considered in that context.