Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy is currently registered in the State under Stamp 3 conditions valid until 13 August, 2014 which is renewable directly with their local immigration officer shortly before its expiry date.

It remains open to the person concerned to make a written application to INIS seeking to have their immigration status changed to a Stamp 4 on the basis of family dependency of an Irish national if they so choose.

I wish to advise the Deputy that access to third level education is determined by the Department of Education and Skills. It is for that Department and the bodies operating under its aegis to decide on the criteria that must be satisfied to allow access to that level of education. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department have any function in such matters.

Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.