Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2016
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 28 April 2016 to outline the procedure to be followed to upgrade and regularise residency status in the case of a person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14186/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, as previously advised on both the 14th and 28th of April 2016 in replies to Parliamentary Questions, the person in question was registered relatively recently in the State as a student - on 5th December 2014 to be precise.
As such they currently have permission to study in the State until 5 December 2016 and are subject to the student pathway. I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to the document 'Guidelines for non-EEA national students registered in Ireland before 1 January, 2011'. This notice clarifies the position in relation to non-EEA students registered here. The overall seven year period provides students with ample opportunity to achieve the sort of qualifications they need to qualify them for an employment permit if they wish to remain in Ireland afterwards.
If it is the intention of the person in question to take up full time employment in the State they must be the holder of an employment permit to do so. The issuing of employment permits is a matter for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. When this person is issued with an employment permit they may then have their immigration status changed by their local immigration officer.
Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for his purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
