Separate applications were received in my Department on 19 January 2005 from the persons concerned seeking permission to remain in the State on the basis of their parentage of an Irish born citizen child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. The closing date for receipt of applications for the scheme was 31 March 2005. Some 18,000 applications were received. In excess of 4,400 applicants have been granted temporary permission to remain to-date.
Applications are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible and, as far as is possible, in order of receipt. It should be noted that a number of incomplete applications are currently under examination or are being held pending the submission of documents. Given the number of applications being processed, it is expected that the processing of the applications from the persons concerned will be completed within the next few weeks.