John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications received in each of the past five years from non-EU nationals requesting to remain in the State based on their marriage to an Irish citizen; the length of time it is taking to process these applications from the date of application to completion; his views on whether the delays being experienced can be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15057/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The number of applications received for residency in the State based solely on marriage to an Irish national are as follows: 156 in 2001; 191 in 2002; 271 in 2003; 326 in 2004 and 93 to end April 2005. Figures are not available for 2000.

Applications of the type referred to by the Deputy are dealt with in chronological order, in fairness to all such applicants, and take approximately 16 months to process. The resources allocated to process such applications are dependent on the prioritised work requirements of the immigration division of my Department at any one time which is operating against a background of significant increases on demands for its services over a wide range of areas.