Residency Permits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2014

Tuesday, 24 June 2014

Questions (122)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

122. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason wives and families of Saudi students on English language programmes and third level courses are allowed to accompany their husbands or fathers while they study here, but wives and families of Libyan students are allowed to accompany their husband or father only if one parent is studying for a PhD., and not for undergraduate or English language programmes; if his attention has been drawn to the negative effect that this has in marketing Ireland as a destination of choice for English language studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26801/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department works in close cooperation with other Departments to help promote Ireland as a provider of English language studies for foreign students and generally to encourage closer education links with other countries. However, the question of entry into Ireland, and the criteria used to assess individual cases, are ultimately matters for the Minister for Justice and Equality.