Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:1174 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when residency status will be awarded to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20390/03]
Written Answers. - Residency Permits.
An application for residency on the basis of an Irish born child was received on 22 April 2002 from one of the persons concerned. No applications for residency have been received for the other two persons mentioned.
Following the decision of the Supreme Court in the cases of L and O, the separate procedure which then existed to enable persons to apply to reside in the State on the sole basis of parentage of an Irish born child ended on 19 February 2003. The Government decided that the separate procedure would not apply to cases which were outstanding on that date. The case to which the Deputy refers is one of those cases. In that context she was notified on 22 July 2003 that there is no separate process for considering such applications and her original documentation was returned to her.
The person concerned advised my Department last December that she had obtained a work permit. This provides her with an alternative legal basis for remaining in this jurisdiction.