Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

58. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality why a person (details supplied) who has a religious volunteer visa was refused permission to stay here having completed the three years, despite such a visa allowing for an extension of 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18153/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person mentioned by the Deputy was granted permission on 9 July 2011 to allow them to work as a Volunteer in the State. Under the Immigration Arrangements for Lay Volunteers, where permission was granted on or after 1 January 2011, such permission is granted for 12 months at a time for a maximum period of 3 years. This person will have completed their 3 years on 30 August 2016 when their permission is due to expire. Volunteers are deemed to be any person who is undertaking voluntary work, which may or may not involve a payment, for an organisation such as a charity, religious institution/order/church or other voluntary organisation.

Queries in relation to the Status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been 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 Parliamentary Question 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.