Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 2

Written Answers. - Visa Applications.

Alan Shatter

Question:

26 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether non-EU doctors appointed to hospital posts should be entitled to have their spouses and children accompany them and reside with them; his further view on whether the current visa regulations, which prevent this for the first year of a doctor's appointment, are unreasonable and destructive of family life; and if he will take the action required at Government level to effect a change to these regulations. [9893/00]

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

As I have previously advised the House, my Department is reviewing its policy in respect of the admission of persons who require a visa and who are family members of persons who are legally employed in the State.

At present a person who requires a visa may join a spouse who is in possession of a valid work permit once the worker has become established in the State, usually after 12 months, and is likely to be here for at least a similar period, provided the person is in a position to support his or her family members without recourse to public funds.

My Department applies a similar approach in respect of the family members of temporary registered doctors who do not require a work permit to take up medical appointments here and who are generally granted temporary registration by the Irish Medical Council for six months at a time.

I expect that my Department's review in this regard will be completed in the near future.