Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2016
48. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure a person (details supplied) must follow in upgrading to stamp 4 preparatory to applying for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12356/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person in question is advised to call to their local immigration officer to request a change of their current immigration stamp. On 27 October 2009, INIS set out detailed arrangements which would apply in cases of persons who had worked for 5 years or more with work permits. This policy document is available on our website: www.inis.gov.ie.
It should be noted that under this policy a person may be refused registration on Stamp 4 due to gaps in their immigration history, or due to the fact that they are no longer economically active. The person may then write to INIS, Residence Division, Unit 2, to have the details of their case reviewed. Each case will be assessed on its own merits. Cases will be considered under this arrangement only where the total period of gaps in their immigration permission do not exceed 12 months. It is possible that the person concerned also qualifies for Long Term Residency. Details of this scheme are also available on the INIS website.
Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for his 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 e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
