The renewal of immigration permissions and the duration for which they are granted is a matter for the local Immigration Office.
It remains open to the person referred to by the Deputy to apply for Long Term Residency (LOTR) or to apply to be naturalised, if eligible. This may provide greater long-term certainty to the person concerned regarding their immigration status in the State.
Information on how to apply for Long Term Residency (LOTR) is available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/long-term-residency/.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications are processed in line with the eligibility criteria set out under the Act and are assessed individually. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Applicants are required to have five years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is three years. In both cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to six weeks allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business, family or holiday purposes.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
