Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 336: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made regarding permission to reside here in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if a decision will be expedited. [14912/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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An application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned in April 2005. Applications of this type, in fairness to all other such applicants, are dealt with in chronological order and take approximately 16 months to process.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 337: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if residency will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14913/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The person in question has permission to remain in the State as a dependant of his spouse who is the holder of a working visa. His current permission does not expire until June 2006, at which time it is open to him to seek further permission to remain in the State. If the person concerned wishes to take up employment in the State, a prospective employer must first obtain a work permit on his behalf. In this respect it should be noted that new arrangements were introduced by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in 2004 which give greater ease of access to employment to spouses of persons who are the holders of working visas or work authorisations. These arrangements removed the requirement on employers to advertise the jobs with FÁS prior to making the work permit applications, exempted the applications from the work permit fees and allowed applications for jobs in categories which would otherwise be considered ineligible for work permits.