Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2016
53. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); if consideration will be given to an extension of the visitor’s visa which expired on 3 August 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36799/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person mentioned by the Deputy has applied for an extension of visitor permission. The Deputy may wish to note that it is not the general policy of INIS to extend visitor permission in the State: this applies to both visa and non-visa required nationals. I am informed by INIS, that it is only in cases where the person's circumstances have changed since the grant of the visa or entry to the State that an application for an extension of visitor's permission would be considered. An example of this would be an unexpected illness of either the visitor or the family member they are visiting.
I am informed by INIS that there does not appear to be any change of circumstances in this case. The person you refer to sought an extension of visitor permission to assist her daughter in caring for grandchildren and to receive treatment for a pre-existing medical condition. This application was refused as it is not the general policy of INIS to grant an extension of visitor permission to facilitate child care arrangements, and in this case medical treatment is available to the person concerned in her home country.
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 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 Question 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.
