Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 January 2013
144. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria used when selecting residency applications for processing as there appears to be inconsistency in the length of time applicants are waiting to be processed. [4562/13]
View answerFor the purposes of the reply I assume the Deputy is referring to immigrants who want to come here or remain in the State on a long-term basis, i.e. those who are neither tourists or are here for short-term business or other reasons. There are a number of channels by which any such applications are considered. For example, non-EEA nationals wishing to work in the State must apply for a work permit from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, whereas my Department is responsible for processing applications for Long Term Residency, citizenship, family reunification, EU Treaty Rights and permission to remain in the State of all categories of persons where this is required by law.
As the Deputy will appreciate the nature of these categories is such that different processes and criteria are in place which reflect the statutory and other requirements as they arise in the particular circumstances. Inevitably some of the processes will take considerably than others to complete; that of course is the practice in immigration systems the world over. If the Deputy has a particular area in mind it is open to him to submit a further Parliamentary Question on the matter or alternatively he may wish to contact my office and I will arrange for my officials to provide a written response to his query.
