Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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367. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the correct procedure to be followed by a person (details supplied); if another procedure other than family reunification appropriate to these circumstances can be detailed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12853/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it is open to any visa required national to apply for a visa for any purpose.  Each application is considered on its individual merits, with the Visa Officer having regard to all of the information available, including any previous applications made. The onus rests at all times with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that the visa sought should be granted. 

Further information on the circumstances in which a person can seek to sponsor a family member to join them in the State are set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification published on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie.

I am further advised that a person who wishes to come to Ireland to work, must first get the necessary employment permit from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation before applying for an employment visa.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie.