Arthur Morgan
Ceist:569 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason persons (details supplied) in County Louth have been refused residency for their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24939/03]
Written Answers. - Residency Permits.
The persons in question are non-EEA nationals who are legally employed in the State under the work permit scheme. In September 2003, my Department received two visa applications relating to their two children who wished to join them in the State. One of the applications was refused because a copy of the child's birth certificate was not submitted. I should explain that, in the interests of the safety and welfare of children, birth certificates are used to establish that persons requesting to be joined in the State by children are in fact the parents of such children.
It is open to the persons in question to appeal against the refusal of the visa by writing to the visa appeals officer in my Department, enclosing a copy of their son's birth certificate.