Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2016
66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure a person (details supplied) must follow under the residency scheme and the naturalisation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16621/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person in question was issued with a letter on 7 April 2016 granting them further permission to remain in the State for a period of 18 months. This permission allows the person time to find employment in the State subject to obtaining a work permit. The person in question arrived in the State in 2006 and as such is deemed to be a timed out student. I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to the document 'Guidelines for non-EEA national students registered in Ireland before 1 January, 2011'. This notice clarifies the position in relation to non-EEA students registered here. The overall seven year period provides students with ample opportunity to achieve the sort of qualifications they need to qualify them for an employment permit if they wish to remain in Ireland afterwards.
If it is the intention of the person in question to take up full time employment in the State they must be the holder of an employment permit to do so. The issuing of employment permits is a matter for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. When this person is issued with an employment permit they may then have their immigration status changed by their local immigration officer.
Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for his 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.
