Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when residency status can be determined in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38467/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that they have not received an application from the person mentioned by the Deputy. However, I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy entered the State in 2007 and has been registered in the State as a student since 22 March 2007. Her current permission to remain is due to expire on 22 March 2013.
A student who first entered the State or commenced their studies after 31 December 2004 is subject to the conditions of the New Regime for full time non-EEA students, which was published in September 2010 and has been in effect since 1 January 2011. It is available on the INIS website: www.inis.gov.ie. This policy stipulates that non-EEA nationals may reside in Ireland as students, subject to the provisions of the new regime, for a maximum aggregate period of seven years. A student is responsible for managing their studies to ensure compliance with this time limit.
This aggregate period may consist of periods of study on language or non-degree level courses as well as degree level courses. However, it is a condition of the new regime that the maximum time a student may stay in Ireland for the purpose of attending courses at language or non degree level is limited to 3 years. In line with the new regime, it is permissible for students who come to Ireland on a language or non-degree programme course to enrol on a course on the degree programme but subject to the overall limit of 7 years not being exceeded. Courses under this programme must be listed on the Internationalisation Register. The person in question has exceeded the maximum 3 year period that a non EEA national is permitted to remain in the State to pursue a course of studies at language and non degree level.
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 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.
