Non-EU Mother visiting family

[Latintraveller]

I am a UK citizen exercising my Treaty rights in Ireland. My wife and step-son from Peru live with me.

Please explain the procedure for my mother in law to visit us for around six months. I understand that although the visa is for six months that if she visits for more than three months we have to show that she is dependent on us. We currently send €100 a month to Peru, but I believe the amount is €188 per week for the time she is in Ireland. Would that figure be less if we are feeding her, washing her clothes, paying for her heating and electricity etc? Since we may be taking a small amount of government benefits in the winter (most of our work is seasonal) would that prejudice the situation?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks.