David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 486: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications for long-term residency that have been received by his Department each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the number of these that have subsequently been granted; the number of these for each year since 2000 that are currently awaiting decision; the number of applicants from the respected county of origin for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23332/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Long term residency was introduced by way of an administrative scheme in May 2004. The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.

The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not available in my Department and could be compiled only by the diversion of substantial staff resources from other important work. However, I can inform the Deputy that there are no cases on hand for applications for long term residency received in 2004 and 2005. There are currently 5,834 cases on hand for applications received in 2006 and 2007. I understand that applications received in July 2006 are currently being dealt with.