Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 1

Written Answers. - Visa Applications.

Noel O'Flynn

Question:

373 Mr. O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the family problems caused for essential foreign workers coming here from countries for which Ireland requires a visa by the legislative bar on their spouses and children applying for a visa until the working member of the family has been resident here for at least three months and the subsequent delays in issuing such visas; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that high technology enterprises are finding this a bar to recruitment and retention of essential workers; and if he will bring forward an urgent reform of the relevant law. [29664/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The requirement that a non-EEA national has been in employment for 12 months before he or she can be joined by visa required family members was reduced by me to three months earlier this year in respect of certain categories of highly sought after skilled workers. I am not aware that there have generally been any delays in issuing such visas following the completion of the necessary waiting period. While I fully intend to keep the matter under ongoing review, I am not satisfied that a further change is warranted at this time.