Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 820: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of the application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27283/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 307 of 20 February 2008 and also to Parliamentary Question No. 330 of 28 May 2008. 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.

An application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in November 2007 and an acknowledgement has been issued to him. I understand that applications received in October 2006 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be notified.