John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 367: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will expedite applications to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish-born child to persons (details supplied); the expected timeframe within which such applications will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7939/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The persons concerned made an application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of their parentage of an Irish citizen child under the revised arrangements on 7 February 2005. Their applications were acknowledged on 22 February 2005.

I advise the Deputy that applications are being dealt with in order of receipt in so far as is possible and as expeditiously as possible. The revised arrangements were announced by me on 14 January 2005. By Friday last, 4 March 2005, a total of 11,758 applications for permission to remain under the revised arrangements had been received and some 2,400 applicants have been granted leave to remain. A significant number of incomplete applications are held pending the submission of identity documents or of additional information. Given the number of applications being processed, it will take several weeks before the processing of the applications from the persons concerned will be completed.