Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1274: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to ensure that the Garda National Immigration Bureau registration runs concurrent with the term of a persons work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2479/08]

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

In general, permission to remain in the State as confirmed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau Certificate of Registration is granted for an initial period of one year, unless the proposed stay in Ireland is of a shorter duration.

The requirement to renew at regular periods of one year allows for greater control over the immigration process whereby checks can be carried out to ensure that a person is still meeting the conditions attached to the type of permission he or she was granted.

It is not considered that the requirement to register annually is unduly onerous particularly in the earlier stages of a migrant's residence in Ireland.

My Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are reviewing at present the opportunities for streamlining their joint processes and I will ensure that this issue is examined as part of that process.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1275: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when INIS will issue details on the application procedure for green card holders to apply for permanent residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2481/08]

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

The Green Card employment permit system commenced operating in February 2007. I understand that this class of permit, granted by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, is open to persons earning above €60K per annum or those earning over €30K in occupations where high level strategic skills shortages exist. Green Card holders can, after two years, apply for long term residence. Therefore the earliest date at which Green Card holders will be eligible to apply for long-term residence will be February 2009. No procedure for processing applications has yet been put in place.

As the Deputy will be aware, section 36 of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 which was published yesterday contains provisions for the issue of long term residence to foreign nationals who meet eligibility criteria. It is my intention to set out the manner in which applications may be made for long-term residence in the coming months.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1276: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the waiting time for processing a long-term residency application; the number of applications to hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2485/08]

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

The average length of time taken to finalise applications for Long Term Residency is currently approximately 18 months.

Officials in that Division are currently processing applications received in July 2006 and have approximately 6,755 applications on hand.