Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2019
238. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding revised advice to volunteer visa applicants regarding the policy on the volunteering in Ireland scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39374/19]
View answerI am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that revised procedures for persons wishing to travel to Ireland as volunteers were introduced on 30 April 2018.
These procedures provide for a preclearance process to facilitate and streamline entry to the State. The preclearance process applies to both visa and non-visa required non-EEA nationals. One of the key objectives of the revised procedures is to provide certainty to all applicants prior to their arrival that they will be permitted to enter the State as volunteers and make their immigration process as straightforward as possible both at the port of entry and on registration of their immigration permission once in the State.
Under the Volunteer in Ireland Scheme, qualifying volunteers are permitted to enter and remain in the State for up to two years, where there is a demonstrated need for their services and subject to compliance with all other immigration requirements that apply in individual cases.
Full details of the scheme is available on the INIS website at http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/volunteering-in-ireland
