Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 916: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24329/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The application in question was made to the Department of Foreign Affairs in October 2004. The visa was sought to allow a non-EEA national to join with his wife in the State under the family reunification scheme. Following an examination by the family reunification unit the application was returned as it was deemed that the application could not be considered under the provisions of section 18 of the Refugee Act.

The applicant's spouse in Ireland does not have full refugee status and therefore is not entitled to apply for family reunification under the Act in respect of any family members. If the applicant still wishes to travel they should make a fresh, joint spouse type application with up-to-date supporting documentation.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 917: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application to remain here for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; the length of time it will be before a decision is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24348/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The applicants concerned were granted temporary leave to remain for an initial period of two years effective from 17 August 2005. Some 18,000 applications for permission to remain were received under the revised arrangements and more than 13,000 cases have been processed to date.