Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of the application for naturalisation for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if, in view of the length of time they have been resident here, they will be granted permission to do work other than that of a self employed artist in view of the high cost of living here. [25876/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The person referred to in the Deputy's question submitted an application for certificate of naturalisation in February 2003. She did not have five years reckonable residence in the State at the date of her application and she was deemed to be ineligible for naturalisation. She was informed of this determination by letter in February 2005.

The person concerned lodged a further application for naturalisation in April 2005. Applications received in the first half of 2004 are currently being processed and there are over 3,000 applications awaiting processing before that of the person in question. It is likely that processing of her application will commence in the second half of 2007.

Documentary evidence supplied by the applicant herself indicates that she first arrived into the State in 1994 and that she first received permission to remain in the State in 1999. Since November 2002, she has been granted permission to remain in the State on the basis that she does not enter employment or engage in any business or profession. However, it appears that the person concerned has been working part time for the last number of years despite her permission to remain in the State not allowing her to do so. She has, therefore, been in breach of the State immigration laws for that period of time. She should immediately contact the Garda National Immigration Bureau at 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 to seek advice as to how to remedy her situation.