Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2014
171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will set out the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28925/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person in question made an application for Long-Term Residency which was received by INIS on 20 September 2013. However, as the application did not satisfy the eligibility criteria, the applicant was informed by letter dated 24 September 2013 that their application could not be accepted at that time. The individual concerned currently has residence permission in the State until 2 November 2014.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the granting of Long Term Residency is subject to the applicant meeting a number of requirements including that he or she has completed five years legal residency in the State on work permit/work authorisation/working visa conditions and is deemed to be of good character. Additionally, all applicants must have permission to remain in the State at the time the application is submitted, and be in gainful employment throughout and after the application process.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for Long Term Residency if and when they are in a position to meet the eligibility criteria. Full details of the qualifying criteria can be found on www.inis.gov.ie.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this 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 email service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited
