Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1181: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been granted residency; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that their passport was lost or mislaid and that they can prove their residency by way of permits and by affidavit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1440/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Long term residency is granted on the basis that a non EEA national had completed five years (60 months) legal residence in the State which is reflected in the corresponding stamp 1 or stamp 4 endorsements in a person's passport and not by the dates of commencement and expiry of each work permit.

At time of processing, each application is examined to verify the applicant meets the residency criteria. An application, from the person referred to by the Deputy, for long term residency was refused in July 2007 on the basis that the person concerned had only submitted proof of 47.14 months legal residence.