Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 4

Written Answers. - Third Level Educational Application.

Noel Ahern

Question:

174 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will examine the status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the details of the residency rights of this person; if this person should have all rights pertaining to her position of being married to an Irish citizen; if these rights should allow her to be treated as an Irish applicant rather than an international applicant by a third level educational college; and if he will clarify the matter to the satisfaction of the Irish college. [24686/01]

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

The person in question was originally admitted to the State as a visitor. Following her marriage to an Irish national in October 2000, she was granted permission to remain on that basis until November 2001. This does not amount to "permanent residency", but it is open to her to apply for a renewal of the permission to remain and the standard procedure would be for the permission to be renewed for a further five years initially.

As a matter of policy, persons who have permission to remain in the State as the spouse of an Irish national are exempt from the requirements specified in Irish immigration law in relation to work permits and business permission. There are, however, no provisions in Irish immigration law specifying the educational entitlements of such a person at a private third level educational establishment.