Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:200. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has given any consideration to relaxing the financial criteria in circumstances (details supplied). [19756/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 1 May 2024
Ceisteanna (200)
Freagraí scríofa
If a person is an elderly relative of a non-EU/EEA or non-Swiss citizen and they wish to join their family member in Ireland, it may be open to them to apply for permission to reside under Stamp 0 immigration permission.
Stamp 0 is subject to several conditions and limitations. For example, it does not allow the holder to access any public services, such as health services or public hospitals. Stamp 0 may only be granted if the person can demonstrate that their relative, in Ireland, can support them financially and otherwise. The requirements to allow a person to sponsor an elderly dependent relative are set out in Chapter 18 of the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy Document available on my Department's Irish Immigration website (www.irishimmigration.ie).
It is of course entirely understandable that an Irish citizen or a non-EEA national lawfully resident in the State would wish to have their elderly parent residing with them so as to ensure their wellbeing as they get older and for the general enrichment of family life. However, it must also be acknowledged that the potential financial liability for the State of providing medical treatment, perhaps nursing home care and other services to an elderly person who is unable to support themselves is very considerable.
However, each case must be viewed on its particular merits to see if there are circumstances that would warrant a positive decision. The onus must however be on the family to show that there is no viable alternative to the parent(s) coming to Ireland.
Given the level of risk, which cannot be fully mitigated by undertakings of financial support by family members, the financial thresholds for earnings to support an elderly dependent relative must be high enough to meet the foreseeable expense. Therefore, a sponsor of an elderly dependent relative will need to have earned in Ireland in each of the three years preceding the application an income after tax and deductions of not less than €60,000 in the case of one parent and €75,000 where two parents are involved. Where the elderly dependent relative has a guaranteed income into the future this can be used to partially offset the financial limits (bearing in mind however that a person with a sufficient personal income for their needs cannot reasonably be regarded as financially dependent).
I can advise the Deputy that the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy Document, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review.
This review is examining a number of detailed matters relating to family reunification applications including, amongst other things, the nature and suitability of current levels of financial requirements for those seeking to be joined by family members.
It is necessary, as part of the review process, to engage with other relevant Government departments and to consider the views of key stakeholders. This process is ongoing and while we are not currently able to give a precise date for completion, it is the intention of the Department to conclude the review at an early stage subject to that process of engagement both across government and more widely.