Bernard Durkan
Question:1334. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current and or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39256/21]
View answerResidency Permits
Questions (1334)
Written answers
The person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 23 September 2019. Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). All relevant aspects of the case will be considered before a decision is made.
The decision to issue from the consideration of this request will be to have the existing Deportation Order either ‘affirmed’ or ‘revoked’. Once a decision has been made, it will be notified in writing. In the meantime, the Deportation Order remains valid and in place.
No Deportation Orders are currently being effected during the pandemic except in cases where an individual may be a threat to national security or whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), 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 e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Naturalisation Applications
Questions (1335)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1335. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39263/21]
View answerWritten answers
An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 12 February 2020. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
I recognise the crucial role healthcare workers are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have played a vital part in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with legislation. There are no provisions to apply different criteria depending on the category of employment of the applicant. All applicants are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence and standard checks are carried out as part of the overall process to maintain its integrity.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (1336)
Martin Kenny
Question:1336. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the number of serving members of An Garda Síochána who have a barring order against them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39360/21]
View answerWritten answers
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, but this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once I receive the required information.
International Protection
Questions (1337)
Thomas Gould
Question:1337. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the overall median waiting time for appeals of international protection application decisions through the International Protections Appeals Tribunal; and the number of persons currently awaiting a decision on an appeal in tabular form. [39370/21]
View answerWritten answers
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy I have had enquiries made and I am informed by the Tribunal of the median waiting times, as set out in the table below.
|
No. of Appeals Pending in IPAT as at 30 June 2021 |
1626 |
|
Median Time Pending in IPAT in Months as at 30 June 2021 |
10 |
For those who are in the international protection process, our objective is to have decisions made on their applications, including the permission to remain consideration, as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of our protection can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security.
My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Expert Advisory Group Report to reduce processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively, as outlined in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service.
Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children
Questions (1338, 1344)
Duncan Smith
Question:1338. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of protection applicants who have presented as unaccompanied minors since the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015; the number of those that were age-disputed and subjected to an assessment by Tusla; the number that were deemed adults by the International Protection Office and placed into direct provision following the assessments; and the number that were deemed minors and placed in the care of Tusla. [39385/21]
View answer
Joe O'Brien
Question:1344. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applicants who presented as unaccompanied minors that have been age-disputed and subjected to an assessment by Tusla since the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015; the number deemed as adults and placed into direct provision; and the number deemed as minors and placed in the care of Tusla. [39473/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1338 and 1344 together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care of any unaccompanied minors in the State. If an unaccompanied minor indicates that they wish to apply for international protection, they are referred to Tusla, either by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) at the airport/port of entry, or by staff at the International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department.
The IPO refers all persons who present at the IPO indicating that they wish to apply for international protection and who state that they are unaccompanied minors to Tusla. Table 1 below sets out the statistics for these referrals from 2017 to date in 2021. The IPO does not maintain statistics on age disputes and the outcome of any age assessment is entirely a matter for Tusla, which is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
|
Table 1 |
|
|
Year |
No of unaccompanied minors referred to Tusla by IPO |
|
2017 |
31 |
|
2018 |
15 |
|
2019 |
32 |
|
2020 |
28 |
|
2021 |
10 |
Section 15(4) of the International Protection Act 2015, provides that where it appears to the Child and Family Agency, on the basis of information, including legal advice, available to it, that an application for international protection should be made on behalf of a child under 18 in respect of whom it is providing care and protection, it shall arrange for an employee of the Agency to make an application on behalf of the child and to represent and assist the child with respect to the examination of the application.
Tusla will conduct a Best Interest of the Child assessment. Only after that assessment has been completed and it is decided that it is in the best interest of the child to do so, will they bring the unaccompanied minor to the IPO to make an international protection application on their behalf.
Specific arrangements will be made by the IPO in conjunction with Tusla for the processing of the application. Tusla will support the minor throughout the process, including attending at their interview, and the IPO has specially trained caseworkers to process these applications.
Table 2 below sets out the number of applications for international protection made in respect of unaccompanied minors by Tusla. It is important to note that the year in which the application was made is not necessarily the year in which the referral to Tusla was made.
|
Table 2 |
|
|
Year |
No. of applications for international protection made by Tusla on behalf of unaccompanied minors |
|
2017 |
32 |
|
2018 |
19 |
|
2019 |
51 |
|
2020 |
29 |
|
2021 |
16 |
Residency Permits
Questions (1339)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1339. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the options available to regularise residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39429/21]
View answerWritten answers
Based on the details provided by the Deputy, there is no record of an application, or a request, from the person concerned for permission to remain in the State.
The person concerned is advised to write to the Immigration Service of my Department and request to regularise their position in the State. When submitting their request, they should outline their current circumstances, the date of their arrival in the State, their current permission, if any, to be in the State, along with their future intentions in the State.
They should enclose a copy of their passport, along with any documentation that they believe will support their case. The application should be submitted, via registered post, to Residence Division - Unit 2, Immigration Service, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, D02 XK70.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (1340)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:1340. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will engage with the Minister for Foreign Affairs to consider instituting a statutory reform in which applicants submit a combined application for Irish citizenship and an Irish passport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39431/21]
View answerWritten answers
While my Department processes applications for a certificate of naturalisation, the processing of applications for citizenship by descent and applications for passports are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
There is ongoing cooperation between the two Departments. The citizenship team of my Department and their colleagues in the Passport Office, regularly discuss matters of common interest and, last year, the Irish Association page on my Department's Immigration Service website was updated with their input. The Head of the citizenship team also sits on the Passport Reform Board, and this has assisted greatly in the sharing of ideas for the benefit of our customers.
There are no plans at present, to introduce legislation to provide for a combined application process for Irish citizenship and an Irish passport. Any such legislation would have to take account of and address issues arising from the current allocation of responsibility in these areas. That said, at this time of significant challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of both Departments is on ensuring the processing of applications in the most streamlined and effective manner.
Visa Applications
Questions (1341)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1341. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when an extension will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) who supplied all relevant documentation via the Irish Embassy in Malaysia; when a decision on an extension request is likely to be reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39434/21]
View answerWritten answers
The visa sticker issued for the application referred to by the Deputy had a validity period from 21 October 2020 to 21 April 2021. In the normal course of events, the person concerned could travel to Ireland between the dates of validity, including the first and last dates on the visa, and travel outside of these dates would not be permitted.
However, the travel restrictions and the measures introduced as part of the Government’s efforts to interrupt the transmission of COVID-19 has meant that travel may not be possible during this time and even if possible was not advisable unless absolutely essential. It is therefore open to the Visa Office to consider, on a case by case basis, issuing a new visa without the need to make another visa application.
If the individual concerned could not travel before the expiry of their current visa, they should send their passport to the Visa Office, Embassy or Honorary Consulate to which they would submit a new application and include:
- A cover letter explaining why the visa was not used;
- A letter from their employer stating employment is still available to them;
- Any other information which they would like the Visa Officer to take into account when deciding if a new visa will be issued without making a new application.
If the original Employment Permit (or Atypical Working Authorisation) has expired or is expiring soon then they will also need to submit a new Employment Permit or Atypical Working Authorisation.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), 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 e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Visa Applications
Questions (1342)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1342. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a visa extension will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39437/21]
View answerWritten answers
The visa sticker issued for the application referred to by the Deputy had a validity period from 21 October 2020 to 21 April 2021. In the normal course of events, the person concerned could travel to Ireland between the dates of validity, including the first and last dates on the visa, and travel outside of these dates would not be permitted.
However, the travel restrictions and the measures introduced as part of the Government’s efforts to interrupt the transmission of COVID-19 has meant that travel may not be possible during this time and even if possible was not advisable unless absolutely essential. It is therefore open to the Visa Office to consider, on a case by case basis, issuing a new visa without the need to make another visa application.
If the individual concerned could not travel before the expiry of their current visa, they should send their passport to the Visa Office, Embassy or Honorary Consulate to which they would be submitting a new application and include:
- A cover letter explaining why the visa was not used;
- A letter from their employer stating employment is still available to them;
- Any other information which they would like the Visa Officer to take into account when deciding if a new visa will be issued without making a new application.
If the original Employment Permit (or Atypical Working Authorisation) has expired or is expiring soon then they will also need to submit a new Employment Permit or Atypical Working Authorisation.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), 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 e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Visa Applications
Questions (1343)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:1343. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the visa options that are available to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39440/21]
View answerWritten answers
From 16 June 2021, my Department lifted certain country specific and temporary entry and transit visa restrictions which were brought into effect on 28 January 2021. As a result of this decision, nationals from South Africa, Brazil and some South American countries are no longer visa required. All travellers must continue to comply fully with the public health measures required by law.
South African nationals may seek to enter and reside in the State on visitors conditions for up to 90 days. Any non EU/EEA nationals, including South African nationals, who wish to remain for longer than 90 days must register with their local immigration office and apply for further permission to remain before their initial permission to remain expires. Full details of the registration process can be found at:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/first-time-registration.
Entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individual to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland ready for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry. The Immigration Officer may grant leave to enter to a maximum period of three months. They may, depending on the documentation presented, refuse entry to the State or grant a lesser period than three months. People who wish to reside in the State, should prepare documentary evidence of private health insurance, along with details of finances to show how they will be able to maintain themselves, or be maintained, whilst in the State.
Question No. 1344 answered with Question No. 1338.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (1345)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1345. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39555/21]
View answerWritten answers
An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 25 June 2018. The application continues to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (1346)
Pa Daly
Question:1346. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 707 of 24 February 2021, when her Department will publish the good character criteria used when adjudicating citizenship applications. [39572/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently preparing detailed guidelines on the good character criterion, that incorporates various work streams, and research on other jurisdictions. Once the guidelines are finalised they will be published on the website of the Immigration Service of my Department.
When published, it is hoped that the guidelines will assist applicants to better understand the good character assessment criteria when making an application for citizenship.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements, not only within the State but also at European Union, as well as international level. It is therefore important that appropriate procedures are in place to ensure that the integrity of the process is held in high regard both at home and internationally. Section 15 of the Act specifically refers to good character.
Irish citizenship, and by extension an Irish passport, is one of the most sought after in the world. Ireland, in common with many nations, has a requirement that applicants demonstrate that they are of good character. What exactly good character entails evolves over time, not least to take account of the enactment of new laws. However, an applicant needs to have demonstrated a history of compliance with the laws of the land. An applicant's good character is assessed in a number of ways, including but not limited to:
- An Garda Síochána vetting;
- Home Country Police clearance; and
- Adherence to the laws and regulations of the State. (This includes laws and regulations relating to revenue, social welfare and driving and transport).
The application form for naturalisation specifically requires the applicant to list any offences and also provides an opportunity to provide additional details regarding any such offences. The fact that a person has committed an offence does not automatically result in their refusal. The individual facts of each case are assessed. Applicants who are refused are provided with the reasons for their refusal.
Visa Applications
Questions (1347)
Neale Richmond
Question:1347. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she has considered waiving mandatory in-person attendance of stamp two visa students including English language teachers until September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39579/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has responsibility for immigration-related matters, including the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students. The re-opening of English language schools and in-person attendance is a matter for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS).
DFHERIS has advised that, subject to the implementation of sector prepared reopening protocols and adherence to public health guidelines, in-person activity may begin to resume from 19 July 2021, where it is safe to do so. This applies to the existing cohort of ELE students currently in the State and DFHERIS further advises that there is no basis for the recruitment of new international students that may seek to travel to the State at this time.
In line with the policy direction from DFHERIS, providers may opt to remain closed, to provide blended learning or to continue operating wholly online.
Both prior to and during the pandemic to date, ELE students in Ireland with a Stamp 2 immigration permission are required to attend at least 85% of their classes for the duration of their programme. For those students currently in the State, this can be achieved by attending in-person, online or both, subject to the method of delivery of these classes. Providers have been informed that the resumption of in-person activity should be taken in consultation with their staff and students.
Visa Applications
Questions (1348)
Neale Richmond
Question:1348. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she has considered introducing an extension for all stamp two persons affected by the pandemic and a pathway back to regular status through enrolment in an ELE course from 20 September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39580/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department recognises the difficulties that Covid-19 has had on everyone in the country, including our international student population. From the outset of the pandemic, we have worked to provide assistance and assurance to people who use our immigration services.
Since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, immigration permissions have been extended, on seven occasions, most recently until 20 September 2021. These extensions of permissions also cover English language students who have already availed of the maximum three permissions (three permissions of 8 months each), allowing them to renew for a fourth permission until 20 September 2021.
Students must enrol on a 25-week programme as soon as their third permission expires and register that permission. This currently will allow them to remain in the State until 20 September 2021, however, each case will be assessed on its individual merits and a pragmatic approach will be adopted.
Students applying for a second or third permission may renew for up 8 months provided they enrol in a 25-week English language programme.
Any further general extension of permission will be considered in light of NPHET and Government public health advice at the appropriate time.
Domestic Violence
Questions (1349)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:1349. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the implementation of the recommendations of the Audit of the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Infrastructure; the timeline for such implementation; the way it will be integrated into the Third National DSGBV strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39592/21]
View answerWritten answers
For Minister of State Naughton
This Government is focused on tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and has already taken significant action in this regard.
The actions include:
- A €30m allocation by Minister O’Gorman to Tusla in 2021; the highest allocation for DSGBV services made to date. This includes €28m in core funding and €2m to address Covid-19 challenges.
- Tusla’s accommodation review, currently being finalised, which has examined the current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services and unmet need, and analysis of proximity to refuge by local communities.
- Additional supports provided throughout the pandemic, such as supporting victims of DSGBV access rent supplement via the Department of Social Protection
- Reforms to our Criminal Justice System such as the introduction of preliminary trial hearings
- More specialised training and extra staff in An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions
- Improved policing through Operation Faoiseamh and other proactive initiatives
- Funding of €4.1 million from the Department of Justice to support victims of crime and some €3 million for raising awareness of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
- The development of paid domestic violence leave and benefit
The independent audit into how responsibility for DSGBV is segmented across Government is an important piece of work that will, as the Deputy is aware, inform the design of the Third National Strategy on domestic sexual and gender-based violence. The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, and I brought the audit to Government earlier this month.
The audit was commissioned by my Department under the Programme for Government. The terms of reference agreed placed significant emphasis on consulting with those doing vital work in this sector so that the report would reflect their views.
Minister O’Gorman and I agreed on foot of the audit that the Department of Justice will continue to have lead policy responsibility for DSGBV. Of course, we also recognise that the policy and operational responses of a number of other Ministers and agencies will continue to be crucial in meeting the Government’s commitment to tackle all forms of sexual, domestic and gender based violence.
We have also agreed that other recommendations in the audit should be considered as part of the development of the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, which I am determined will be the most ambitious to date.
The audit outcome, the current review of accommodation needs undertaken by Tusla and the ongoing work of implementing Supporting a Victim's Journey, will all feed into the development of the next National Strategy on DSGBV.
The development of the Third National Strategy will be completed by the end of the year. My intention is to have a draft Strategy ready for a further round of public consultation in September.
Courts Service
Questions (1350)
Catherine Connolly
Question:1350. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to the report and financial statements of the Office of the Accountant of the Courts of Justice for the year ended 30 September 2020, of the 2,751 Wards of Court referred to in the report, the number who are minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39650/21]
View answerWritten answers
The High Court has jurisdiction in wards of court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made with the Courts Service who have provided the following update.
Of the 2,751 Wards of Court referred to in the report from the Office of the Accountant of the Courts of Justice for the year ended 30 September 2020, I am advised that 155 are ward minors.
Voluntary Sector
Questions (1351)
Pearse Doherty
Question:1351. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice if a list will be provided of the permits granted under the Street and House to House Collections Act 1962 in County Donegal for each weekend in 2019; the corresponding name of each organisation to which a permit was granted; the date for which the permit was granted; and the district and or area within the county for which the permit was issued or in the alternative, if as much information as is practicable and which pertains to these matters will be provided. [39705/21]
View answerWritten answers
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, but this was not available in time. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
Visa Applications
Questions (1352)
Seán Canney
Question:1352. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Justice when her Department will resume accepting applications for short-term visit visas; if her attention has been drawn to the distress the blanket suspension is causing to Irish citizens who live abroad and have a spouse who needs a visa to visit Ireland; her plans to create exemptions to the current restrictions for spouses of Irish citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39743/21]
View answerWritten answers
It remains the position that my Department is not currently accepting any short stay visa applications, except for cases that fall under the emergency/priority criteria set out below. The suspension of short stay applications will continue to be reviewed in consultation with the relevant authorities in the coming weeks in line with the easing of public health restrictions on international travel and the measures introduced as part of the Government’s efforts to interrupt the transmission of COVID-19.
The priority/emergency cases that will continue to be accepted and processed at this time include the following:
- All long stay employment applications, supported by a work permit or atypical permission;
- patients travelling for imperative medical reasons;
- transport workers or transport service providers, including drivers of freight vehicles carrying goods for use in the territory as well as those merely transiting;
- pupils, students and trainees who travel abroad on a daily basis and third-country nationals travelling for the purpose of 3rd level study;
- Join Family applications;
- Preclearance applications from de facto partner of an Irish national, de facto partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder, or of a non-EEA researcher on a hosting agreement and family members looking to join a UK national in Ireland;
- persons travelling for imperative family* or business reasons;
- Persons entitled to avail of the provision of the EU Free Movement Directive;
- diplomats, staff of international organisations and people invited by international organisations whose physical presence is required for the well-functioning of these organisations, military personnel and police officers, and humanitarian aid workers and civil protection personnel in the exercise of their functions;
- passengers in transit;
- seafarers;
- journalists, when performing their duties.
Naturalisation Applications
Questions (1353)
Bernard Durkan
Question:1353. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a person (details supplied) is eligible to apply for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39797/21]
View answerWritten answers
The person referred to by the Deputy was issued a letter refusing them permission to remain in the State on 2 January 2021. In response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
No Deportation Orders are currently being effected during the pandemic except in cases where an individual may be a threat to national security or whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), 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 e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.