Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
541. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who wishes to renew their Stamp 4 status but is unable to afford the associated fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49587/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State on 5 October, 2005 under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1 January, 2005, known as the IBC/05 Scheme. This permission was renewed with the most recent permission expiring on 5 October, 2013. I would advise the person concerned to submit a written request for renewal of permission to remain to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, at PO BOX 10003, Dublin 1.
The introduction of the registration fee in May, 2006 resulted from a policy decision that the fee income was required for the ongoing development of immigration services (both in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Our migrant population have made a valuable contribution to the economic, cultural and social life of Ireland and will continue to do so. However, I believe that it is not unreasonable to ask those who benefit from the immigration system to make a reasonable contribution to the cost of services. It is common practice throughout Europe to charge a fee for immigration services. By comparison with many jurisdictions the current registration fee represents very good value.
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.
