Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the refusal rates for student visa applications and tourist visa applications for the past four years from persons applying through the Irish Embassy in Beijing, China; the approval rates for students applying to an Irish college (details supplied) through the Beijing Embassy for the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24168/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The figures detail the percentage of visa applications refused by the Irish Visa Office, Beijing for the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

I regret to advise the deputy that it is not possible to provide the approval rates for students applying to the Irish college in question, through the Beijing Embassy for the past four years, at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the process that the decisions taken by visa officers are vetted or overseen; if there is any handbook or manual that outlines the proper procedures that a visa officer should follow in order to ensure that visas are being processed correctly; the reason Ireland is the only country in Europe that does not publish comprehensive statistics concerning visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24169/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Detailed guidelines on visa criteria and procedures, including documentation, can be found at the INIS website (www.inis.gov.ie) and visa applications are judged in regard to these criteria. Each visa application is considered on its individual merits, the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why the visa should be granted.

On joining the Visa Section, Visa Officers are provided with on the job training and support by more experienced Visa Officers in the section. This is particularly the case in instances where matters of a more complex nature arise or no previous precedent arise. Furthermore, Visa Officers are kept fully informed with regard to any changes of policy relating to visa matters as and when these changes are deemed necessary in the interest of public policy.

While straight forward visa applications can be granted by Department of Foreign Affairs diplomatic staff working in Irish Embassies/Consulates without reference to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), the remaining applications are handled by visa officers in the INIS headquarters, Burgh Quay, Dublin and the other dedicated INIS Visa Offices in Abuja, Beijing, Cairo, London, Moscow and New Delhi.

As regards visa statistics, I can inform the Deputy that my Department provides statistics to the European Migration Network and also by way of my Department's Annual Reports. Further statistical information is provided on an ongoing basis to members of the Oireachtas and other interested bodies, where possible. Consideration is currently being given to the publishing of further general visa statistics on my Department's website on a regular basis.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the circumstances that visas are refused, in respect of international students who are attempting to come to Ireland for study visa; if he will clarify the refusal for the need to undertake the course in this State is neither demonstrated nor warranted; if this implies that students should go to some other country to study; the procedure that a person would make an appeal for a refusal under this ruling and specifically the courses that are peculiar to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24199/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset, it should be borne in mind that each visa application is considered on its individual merits with the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the visa officer as to why the visa should be granted.

In assessing a visa application, a visa officer takes a number of factors into consideration. These factors are essentially based on the type of visa sought. Information regarding reasons for refusal can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie).

The following are examples of cases where it is considered that the need to undertake the course in this State is neither demonstrated nor warranted: an applicant has not outlined and/or satisfied the visa officer as regards the reasons for undertaking the particular course of study identified in the visa application. An example of this might be where there is no clear link to a particular course - be it a change of career, work related or progressing/advancing to the next stage of study e.g. diploma, degree or masters level an applicant has already obtained a higher level of qualification in a particular area than that from which the course of study applied for might result. An example of this might be where an applicant holds a degree in nursing yet applies to study a FETAC level care assistant course the course in question is readily available in the home country of the applicant and there is no reason for the applicant to travel to Ireland for the purpose an applicant from a country where English is commonly spoken but seeks to study English in Ireland rather than in their home country.

It is open to an individual who is refused a visa to submit an appeal within two months of the date of refusal. Guidelines with regard to the appeals process are again available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie).