Vol. 501 No. 1
165 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views regarding applications for visas from the spouses of skilled non-EU workers who are receiving work permits from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and wish to bring their spouses to Ireland; if he will grant visas to allow spouses to travel with these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5359/99]
While each visa application is examined on its merits, my Department's general approach is that a visa required national may join a spouse who is in possession of a valid work permit once the worker has become established in ongoing employment in the State, usually after 12 months, and provided the worker is in a position to provide for his or her family members without recourse to public funds. Exceptions are, however, made in order to secure the services of highly skilled workers whose expertise is of vital importance to certain sectors of the economy and who would not take up an appointment otherwise.
