Written Answers Nos. 46-68
46. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps the Irish Central Authority have taken to enforce an order of the Circuit Family Court granting a lump sum order to a person (details supplied). [24820/16]
View answerThe Irish Central Authority for the Recovery of Maintenance from Abroad, which is in my Department, facilitates applications for the recovery of maintenance in other jurisdictions. Its role is to receive and transmit such applications to the relevant authorities abroad.
The enforcement of such orders including the provision of legal aid in another State is a matter for the relevant competent authority in that jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions of the Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 of 18 December 2008 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and co-operation in matters relating to maintenance obligations.
The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any matter which is, or may be, the subject of legal proceedings, but I understand that, in the case raised by the Deputy, the Irish Central Authority is in active and ongoing contact with the relevant Central Authority in the requested State, as well as the applicant who has been informed as to steps to be taken, in relation to the progression of the application for maintenance.
47. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inmates based in Loughan House open prison in Blacklion, County Cavan; the offences they have committed; the capacity of the facility; the number of staff working there at present, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24825/16]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that on the 31 August, 2016 there were 117 prisoners in custody as compared to a bed capacity of 140. This represents an occupancy level of 84%. The number of staff working in Loughan House is 49.
The Offence Group of the 117 prisoners is set out in the following table.
|
Offence Group Description |
Total |
|
Homicide Offences |
20 |
|
Attempts/Threats to Murder, Assaults, Harassments and Related Offences |
27 |
|
Dangerous or Negligent Offences |
2 |
|
Kidnapping and Related Offences |
1 |
|
Robbery, Extortion and Hijacking Offences |
2 |
|
Burglary and Related Offences |
6 |
|
Theft and Related Offences |
11 |
|
Fraud, Deception and Related Offences |
3 |
|
Controlled Drug Offences |
35 |
|
Weapons and Explosives Offences |
1 |
|
Damage to Property and the Environment |
4 |
|
Road and Traffic Offences |
1 |
|
Offences re Government, Justice and Organisation of Crime Offences |
1 |
|
Offences not Elsewhere Classified |
3 |
|
Total |
117 |
49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in respect of citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24829/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this 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.
50. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in respect of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24830/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that they are not in receipt of any application from the person in question to upgrade their residency status. In the circumstances, I would suggest that the person make an application and give full details of their current circumstances in the State to enable a decision to be made in their case.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or long awaited
51. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures in place to monitor, detect and prevent the public dissemination of extreme Islamist ideologies (details supplied); her proposals to change the existing law around deportation of persons engaged in such practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24831/16]
View answerThe need to counter violent extremism is well recognised by the authorities here, particularly in the context of the current international terrorist threat environment. International best practice indicates that a multidimensional approach is required to address the potential for violent radicalisation and our policies concerned with integration, equality, combating discrimination and building positive relationships with our minority communities are central.
In the circumstances of the current international threat environment a focus may unfairly be brought to bear on our Muslim community. I am sure the Deputy will agree that the actions of a small number of violent extremists do not reflect the views of the majority of our Muslim community, which is a peace-loving community of citizens that contributes much to the cultural vibrancy of the State.
An Garda Síochána operates a progressive community engagement programme with all our minority communities through the Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office (GRIDO) and the national network of Garda Ethnic Liaison Officers. Interaction with our Muslim community, especially with the main mosques and cultural centres, is conducted on the community policing model which serves the general policing needs of the community. The GRIDO model has been identified as a model of best international practice by the UN Counter Terrorism Committee in the context of combating radicalisation.
Community engagement is also regarded as an essential component of strategies designed to deal with this issue and included as a key action in the EU's Strategy for Countering Radicalisation and Recruitment to Terrorism. Ireland contributed to the formulation of this Strategy and on an ongoing basis to EU responses to this threat. An Garda Síochána is a member of the EU's Radicalisation Awareness Network.
While the expert assessment of the threat of a terrorist attack from this source is that is not considered likely, there are a number of persons in the State whose activities in support of extremism give rise to concern. The Garda Authorities will continue to take appropriate measures to monitor their activities and take any appropriate action to prevent and detect any criminal activity.
It is also important that An Garda Síochána is supported by the necessary legislative powers to counter violent radicalisation. The Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Act 2015 which came into force in June 2015, further enhanced the powers available by the creation of three new offences of public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, recruitment for terrorism and training for terrorism. These offences will carry sentences of up to 10 years imprisonment on conviction on indictment.
I have made clear previously that all the options available under the law, including immigration law, to deal with those who constitute a threat to the security of the State will be used and that remains the position. Any decision whether or not to make a deportation order against an individual is based on the specific circumstances of their case. There is a range of grounds that must be considered in this context and these include national security and public policy, and also the character and conduct of the individual concerned.
52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in respect of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24833/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned entered the State in 2009 and was registered as a student until 14 May 2016. All non-EEA students resident in the State are subject to the student immigration rules set out under the "New immigration regime for full time non-EEA students" which was published in September 2010 and has been in effect since 1 January 2011. These rules stipulate that non-EEA nationals may reside in Ireland as students, subject to the provisions of the new regime, for a maximum period of seven years. As this person arrived in the State in 2009 they are now classified as a "timed out student". This person does not have an application pending with INIS. If the person concerned wishes to work in the State he is required to have a work permit to do so.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of 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.
53. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to legislate to change the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court following the judgment in a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24834/16]
View answerMy Department is consulting with the Office of the Attorney General on the implications of the judgment and assessing possible ways forward. The paramount objective of any future action to be taken to address the impact of the judgment will be to clarify the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court with a view to ensuring orderly management and discharge of court business.
54. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in respect of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24835/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned has been granted permission to remain in the State, on immigration Stamp 2 conditions, for the period to 29th October 2016. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 17th November, 2015.
The decision to grant such status was arrived at following the detailed consideration of the case of the person concerned, under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This decision would have had regard for all information and documentation on file at the time the decision was made.
It will be open to the person concerned to apply for the renewal of that permission in advance of its expiry date. However, I am advised that the INIS would be prepared to review the case of the person concerned in circumstances where they presented documentary evidence to show that they had a concrete offer of paid employment available to them. The Deputy will appreciate that any such offer of paid employment must be on the prospective employer's headed paper; it must describe the specific position being offered; it must set out the proposed salary or salary scale; and it must provide an indication that any such position is available immediately, is whole-time and is not subject to seasonal factors. Upon receipt of documentary evidence of the nature described, the INIS will undertake a review of the case of the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
55. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to her statement of 22 September 2015 on the migration crisis following an emergency meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers, the steps taken by her Department to ensure that, as per her statement, special priority will be given to the plight of unaccompanied minors in the provision of supports and services; the status of this commitment; the nature of these supports; the number of unaccompanied minors that the State has accepted; if she will commit to accepting more of these vulnerable children as part of Ireland's response the migration crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24841/16]
View answerThe Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under the programme the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 migrants into the State by the end of 2017, through a combination of the EU relocation mechanism established in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece (which Ireland voluntarily opted into) and the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme currently focused on resettling refugees from camps in Jordan and Lebanon.
Under the Resettlement part of the IRPP, 520 refugees are to be resettled in Ireland by 31 December 2016. As of yesterday, 377 of these 520 have been admitted to the State. Sufficient cases were selected during a selection mission to Lebanon earlier this year to fill the rest of the quota of 520. These cases have been security screened and health screened and are scheduled to arrive in groups between now and the end of October. In addition to this 520, the Government recently announced it is extending the resettlement programme to take in a further 260 refugees from Lebanon in 2017.
As regards the EU relocation mechanism, it is well documented that the pace of arrivals under this programme to date has been slower than expected. The Government is wholly committed to ensuring that Ireland meets its obligations under the EU Relocation mechanism in a timely fashion. I am pleased to report, therefore, that following a highly productive visit by Irish officials to Greece earlier this year, the frequency and numbers of arrivals has increased and is continuing to improve. Ireland has to date taken in 69 Syrian people, mostly families. A further 40 people have been assessed and cleared for arrival and arrangements for their travel to the State are currently being made and last week IRPP officials interviewed a group of 63 people in Athens who, once cleared for travel, are expected to arrive in October. It is estimated that by the end of 2016 Ireland will have accepted up to 360 people under relocation. The intention thereafter is to sustain the pace and size of intakes throughout 2017 at the levels required to allow Ireland to meet its commitments within the timeframes envisaged under the EU Relocation Decisions.
In announcing the IRPP, the Government recognised the importance of prioritising family groups and in addressing the position of unaccompanied children. A significant number of those who have arrived to date are children with one or two parents. The position with regard to unaccompanied minors is that Ireland has formally indicated to Greece its desire to accept unaccompanied minors under the relocation mechanism and we now have a commitment from the Greek authorities that Ireland will be receiving the first group of unaccompanied minors later this year. The next step is for the authorities in Greece to forward case files for those unaccompanied minors they wish to assign for relocation here. Once these files are received, officials from Tusla - the Child and Family Agency with responsibility for the care of unaccompanied minors in the State - will travel to Greece to assess the needs of those minors and plan for their care and accommodation upon arrival.
It is not possible at this juncture to determine the overall number of unaccompanied minors that will be accepted during the lifetime of the programme as it will depend on the number of cases referred by Greece and the level of resources that each individual case will require upon arrival. Ireland will continue to prioritise its commitment to offer protection to this vulnerable group.
I continue to work proactively with my colleagues in Europe to ensure that Ireland and the European Union responds comprehensively to all aspects of the ongoing migration and refugee crisis. I share the concerns of the Deputy in relation to unaccompanied minors as an especially vulnerable group and I expect this issue to remain high on the agenda at EU level.
56. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in respect of family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24844/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy was the subject of an application for Family Reunification which was approved on the 25th April 2012.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this 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.
57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in respect of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24849/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned entered the State on 25 September 2010. They were registered as a student on Stamp 2A conditions between 4 April 2013 and 21 October 2013.
It should be noted that the person concerned should have sought an extension of their permission to remain in the State as a student upon the expiry of their permission on 21 October 2013. However, it is apparent that they chose not to do so at that time. The person concerned has not had permission to remain in the State since that time and should be aware that it is illegal under the Immigration Act 2004 to reside in the State without permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality. A person found to be guilty of such an offence is liable, under Section 13 of the Immigration Act of 2004, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both. As the person concerned does not have immigration permission to remain in the State, they are not entitled to work in the State.
INIS received an application from the person concerned on 5 January 2016 and this application is under consideration at present. I understand that correspondence will issue to the person concerned in the near future.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of 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.
58. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a family visa application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24853/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa applications referred to were received in the Irish Visa Office in Abu Dhabi on 30 November 2015.
I am also advised that there has been an exponential increase, since the second quarter of 2015, in the number of such applications. While every effort is made to process these applications within a reasonable timeframe, processing times generally will vary having regard to the volume of applications in each processing centre, their complexity and the resources available.
The visa applications referred to by the Deputy will be processed in due course.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to the INIS Visa Office (visamail@justice.ie).
59. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 to provide a complete breakdown of the way and to whom the receipts generated from the road safety camera contract are distributed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24854/16]
View answerAs I indicated to the Deputy in my post-correspondence reply to his Parliamentary Question of 31 May 2016 referred to above, payments under the Safety Camera Contract from 2010 to end May 2016 are as follows:
Payments to Go Safe
|
2010 € |
2011 € |
2012 € |
2013 € |
2014 € |
2015 € |
2016 to date € |
|
228,494 |
15,842,378 |
15,613,641 |
17,036,733 |
17,226,130 |
17,278,953 |
4,724,939 |
Receipts associated with the Safety Camera Contract are collected through the Fixed Charge Processing System and are contained in the table below:
Receipts generated from the Road Safety Camera Contract
|
2010 € |
2011 € |
2012 € |
2013 € |
2014 € |
2015 € |
2016 to date € |
|
64,080 |
7,376,800 |
4,613,360 |
4,383,880 |
6,584,880 |
7,521,400 |
2,144,720 |
The company operating the Safety Camera Contract, Go Safe, has no role in collection of these payments and is itself paid on the basis of hours of monitoring, with the number of detections having no bearing on the payments it receives.
In line with the sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, receipts generated through the Garda Fixed Charge Processing System from the Safety Camera Contract are taken into the Garda Vote as Appropriations-in-Aid to fund the operation of the Contract.
60. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware that member companies of a consortium (details supplied) have allegedly been involved in serious financial fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24855/16]
View answer61. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a full list of the members of a consortium (details supplied) which is currently contracted to operate the Garda Safety Camera Contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24856/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together.
The current contract for the safety camera service is with Road Safety Operations Ireland Limited, a private limited company, trading as GoSafe. The members of the original consortium (now Road Safety Operations Ireland Limited) that tendered for the contract were Spectra, Egis Projects and Redflex Traffic Systems. The matter to which the Deputy refers concerns a person who was previously employed (but is no longer employed) by a different company within a commercial group of which an original member company of the consortium in question is also part. In the context of the issue raised by the Deputy, to the Contracting Authority's knowledge, neither the current service provider nor any of its sub-contractors have been the subject of conviction of bribery, fraud or corruption offences.
62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24858/16]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that both individuals were registered in the State as students - one from 7 March 2007 to 13 July 2013 - who is now deemed to be a timed out student, while the other person was registered from 9 August 2011 to 11 November 2014 but failed to renew this permission upon expiration.
Ireland has offered a generous immigration regime to foreign students, not only in allowing them to work to support themselves in their studies but also in providing ample opportunity for them to obtain academic qualifications that will equip them for their future, whether that is in Ireland or on return to their home country. It is up to each student to make the best use of that opportunity. If their academic achievement is high, Ireland offers opportunities to students to stay on as graduates, researchers, or high skilled employees. In other words, student permission gives the person concerned a chance to qualify for an enhanced immigration status on the basis of their academic achievement. However, student permission is of a temporary and limited nature that is not reckonable for naturalisation purposes and that generally does not allow for family reunification. Merely spending time in Ireland as a student does not confer entitlement or expectation to remain. Guidelines for non-EEA national students are available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie.
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the persons concerned were contacted on 18 April 2016 with regard to their residency status in the State.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of 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.
64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in respect of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24871/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 8th April 2016. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in respect of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24872/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is registered in the State as a student on Stamp 2A conditions until 9 December 2017.
The person concerned made an application for a change of their immigration status on 16 February 2016. This application was considered, and it was decided that the person concerned was not eligible for permission to remain in the State on Stamp 4 conditions. The applicant was informed on 9 June 2016 that they were to be provided with permission to remain in the State on Stamp 2A conditions. The person concerned was informed at that time that if they wished to change their status to Stamp 2, then they should attend their local Garda National Immigration Bureau office with the relevant documentation. It is noted that, should the applicant obtain Stamp 2 permission, then they may engage in casual part-time employment (further details on the INIS website).
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established for this 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in questions where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in respect of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied). [24873/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned has submitted written representations. These representations, together with all other information on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement, in advance of a final decision being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in respect of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24881/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that they are not in receipt of any application from the person in question to upgrade their residency status. In the circumstances, I would suggest that the person make an application and give full details of their current circumstances in the State to enable a decision to be made in their case.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or long awaited.
68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in respect of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24885/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of the person concerned. In the circumstances, I would suggest that the person make an application for residency and give full details of their current circumstances in the State to enable a decision to be made in her case.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or long awaited.
