Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a response to correspondence (details supplied) can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22010/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer, the visa application he refers to was refused. A letter issued to the applicant on the 8 May 2023 outlines the reasons for this refusal.

An appeals process, which is free of charge, is available which allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors which gave rise to that decision. It is open to the applicant to appeal this decision, in writing, within two months of the date of the refusal. Appeals must be in written form and sent to the Visa Appeals Officer in the relevant Visa Office. Faxed or emailed appeals will not be considered.

All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the Department's website. Applicants that meticulously follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.

When making an appeal, the applicant should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letter. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh. You will find further details on the appeals process at the following link:www.irishimmigration.ie/appeal-a-negative-decision/.

Full consideration will be given to any appeal received on behalf of the applicant. However, the onus is on the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that a visa should be granted.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) 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 is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.