Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 477: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will urgently return passports to persons (details supplied). [20723/05]

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

The persons concerned made applications for permission to remain in the State on the basis of their parentage of an Irish-born child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. Their applications were received in the IBC Unit on 07 March 2005.

Original passports submitted by the persons concerned in support of their applications have been copied and were returned to them by registered post on 15 June 2005. I wish to advise the Deputy that applications are being dealt with in order of receipt in so far as is possible and as expeditiously as possible. 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.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 478: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in dealing with an application by a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [20731/05]

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

The person concerned made an application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of his parentage of an Irish-born child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. His application was acknowledged on 3 March 2005.

The closing date for receipt of applications for the IBC/05 scheme was 31 March 2005. Some 18,000 applications were received. Of this number, in excess of 6,950 applicants have been granted temporary permission to remain. It should also be noted that a number of incomplete applications are currently under examination or are being held pending the submission of documents.

I advise the Deputy that applications are being dealt with in order of receipt insofar as is possible and as expeditiously as possible. Given the number of applications being processed, it will take several weeks before the processing of the application from the person concerned will be completed.