Written Answers - Visa Applications Tuesday, 7 December 2010

Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 724 No. 1 Unrevised Page of 290

  173.  Deputy Fergus O’Dowd      asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform      the recent changes that have taken place to visa processing facilities in Saudi Arabia; the reason these changes were made; the transitional arrangements that were put in place to cover the changeover period involved; if these changes have resulted in delays in processing applications; his views on the impact this will have on the number of students coming to study here from Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45946/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern):    I can advise the Deputy that no recent changes have taken place with regard to visa processing facilities in Saudi Arabia. In fact, and as has been the case for approximately two years now, in order to assist with Irish colleges’ efforts to attract high-standard students, a specific delegated sanction scheme is in place in our Riyadh embassy to facilitate and indeed expedite visa applications from such students, particularly those covered by exceptionally generous programmes run by the Saudi government.

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Last Updated: 31/03/2011 17:15:23

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