Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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227. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to assist the Irish students currently in Canada, who continue to await their summer working visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25558/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am aware that a number of Irish citizens have made representations to our Embassy in Ottawa and the Honorary Consulate in Vancouver concerning their position in regard to working visas and in particular the bilateral Working Holiday programme. Under this programme, recipients are advised not to travel until the full formalities are completed. The Canadian authorities advise that it normally takes six weeks after an application is lodged for a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction to be issued. This POE Letter of Introduction allows Irish citizens to work for two years in Canada. Unfortunately, it appears that not all those citizens who have made these representations had complied with the advice provided by the Canadian authorities. Nevertheless, I am advised that they should receive the POE Letters of Introduction in the normal way, i.e. six weeks after their application, following their conditional acceptance into the programme.

This process also applies to Canadian citizens wishing to avail of the programme in Ireland. My Department is also aware of a least one case where a Canadian citizen has arrived in Ireland ahead of the necessary paperwork being completed.

I would strongly advise all those on working holiday programmes to study and follow the guidance given on this matter by the Canadian and Irish authorities.

The Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa and our Honorary Consulates remain available to advise and assist as appropriate in regard to this programme.