Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 February 2013
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding determination of residency status and/or eligibility for naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9472/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first and second persons concerned were granted permission to remain in the State for an initial 2 year period on Stamp 4 conditions from 4 October, 2005 under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA national parents of children born in Ireland prior to January, 2005, commonly known as the IBC/05 Scheme. The grant of permission to remain was renewed regularly and is currently valid until 20 February, 2014.
I should add that a minor dependant child is covered by the permission granted to their parent once the child is resident with the parent in the State. On reaching the age of sixteen, such a child is required to register in their own right with the Garda National Immigration Bureau having obtained the permission of the Minister to do so.
There is no record of an application for a Certificate of Naturalisation from the first person referred to by the Deputy.
The second person referred to submitted an application for a Certificate of Naturalisation in June 2011. On examination of the application submitted, it was determined that it was ineligible because the statutory residency conditions as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, were not satisfied. A letter issued to the applicant on 31 August 2011 informing her of the position.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the prescribed statutory requirements.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail 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 e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
