Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 816: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in September 2007 his Department was processing long term residency applications received in July 2006 and that nine months later in May 2008 his Department had only reached applications received in August 2006; the current waiting time for processing of applications for long term residency by his Department; the number of staff engaged in the processing of such applications; his views on the assignment of additional staff to facilitate quicker processing of such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23108/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by officials in the long term residency section of my Department that long term residency is an administrative scheme introduced in May 2004 and is focused on persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit / work authorisation / work visa conditions. Such persons 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 persons concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.

My Department is currently processing applications received in late September / early October 2006 thus the existing processing time for long term residency is approximately twenty months. This is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications received in the last number of years. Having regard to the overall resources available, which are kept under constant review, there is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved. I understand however, that the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service has in recent weeks allocated substantial additional resources to this work with a view to providing an improved customer service and reducing the existing processing times.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 817: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to an application for leave to remain in the State by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [23140/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned submitted an application on 9 April, 2005 for permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for parents of Irish children born prior to 1 January, 2005, known as the IBC/05 Scheme. As the child in question was born after the cut off date the person did not meet the criteria of the scheme, and the application was refused accordingly. Due to the ongoing Judicial Review proceedings in this case, I am unable to comment any further.