Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Residency Permits

9:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 612: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process Irish-born child pre-2003 family dependant applications made by non-European Economic Area nationals granted residence under pre-2003 conditions for residence here for specified minor family dependants; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to speed up the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1571/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that no applications for permission to remain in the State under the pre-2003 arrangements for the parents of Irish citizen children are currently outstanding in my Department. I should add that renewal of permission to remain in the State for such persons is granted by the Garda National Immigration Bureau and accordingly, there is no requirement for such applicants to contact my Department unless their circumstances have changed since the granting of their most recent permission to remain.

With regard to family dependents of persons in the category above, I am advised by my officials that 117 applications were received and granted in 2009. Such applications were, in general, processed within one week of the appropriate supporting documentation being received in my Department and all such applicants were granted permission to remain in the State. The permission granted is on the basis that the applicant is part of a family unit where the parent(s) of that unit have been granted residency in the State, and applicants are required to provide evidence to that effect.

A further 199 applications for permission to remain in the State were received from persons whose circumstances necessitated that they contact my Department (primarily due to the break up of their marriages). All of these applications were granted and, in general, were processed within one week of receipt of appropriate documentation.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 613: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications for a change of status by non-European Economic Area nationals granted a particular permission to remain here and seeking an alternative residency status; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1572/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the statistics requested by the Deputy regarding applications made by non-EEA nationals seeking a change of status are outlined in the following table.

Change of Status
Processing time of applicationApproximately 8 months
Number of applications received in the past 12 months401
Number of applications awaiting decision209
Number of applications approved in the last 12 months93
Number of applications rejected in the last 12 months35

As the Deputy will appreciate, the processing time for dealing with such applications can vary depending on the type of application involved and the particular circumstances of the individual concerned.

In all instances, processing arrangements are kept under ongoing review and steps are taken to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible having regard to overall resources across the full range of services provided by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 614: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications by non-European Economic Area nationals in a relationship with an Irish or non-EEA national and seeking permission to remain here on that basis; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1573/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the statistics requested by the Deputy regarding non-EEA nationals who are in a relationship with an Irish or a non- EEA national and seeking permission to remain on that basis are outlined in the following table.

De-facto relationship with IrishNationalDe-facto relationship with Non-EEA National
Processing time of application1 to 2 weeks1 to 2 weeks
No. of applications received in past 12 months57713
No. of applications awaiting decision736
No. of applications approved in past 12 months4003
No. of applications rejected in past 12 months403

Applications for de-facto relationships are dealt with once they are received in the General Immigration Division, and a decision is made once the division receives the appropriate documentation supporting the relationship.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 615: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications by non-European Economic Area nationals previously granted permission to study and who are seeking an extension of student conditions; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1574/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the statistics requested by the Deputy regarding applications made by non-EEA nationals seeking an extension of student conditions are outlined in the following table.

Extension of student conditions
Processing time of applicationApproximately 12 months
Number of applications received in the past 12 months223
Number of applications awaiting decision162
Number of applications approved in the last 12 months25
Number of applications rejected in the last 12 months19

As the Deputy will appreciate, the processing time for dealing with such applications can vary depending on the type of application involved and the particular circumstances of the individual concerned.

In all instances, processing arrangements are kept under ongoing review and steps are taken to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible having regard to overall resources across the full range of services provided by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 616: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications pertaining to non-European Economic Area nationals previously granted permission to remain here as a visitor and seeking an extension of those conditions; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1575/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the statistics requested by the Deputy regarding applications made by non-EEA nationals seeking an extension of visitor conditions are outlined in the following table.

Extension of visitor conditions
Processing time of applicationApproximately 1 month
Number of applications received in the past 12 months413
Number of applications awaiting decision82
Number of applications approved in the past 12 months115
Number of applications rejected in the past 12 months125

As the Deputy will appreciate, the processing time for dealing with such applications can vary depending on the type of application involved and the particular circumstances of the individual concerned.

In all instances, processing arrangements are kept under ongoing review and steps are taken to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible having regard to overall resources across the full range of services provided by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 617: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications pertaining to non-European Economic Area nationals previously granted permission to remain here on work permit conditions and who are seeking extension of those conditions; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1576/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the statistics requested by the Deputy regarding applications made by non-EEA nationals seeking an extension of their permission to remain in order to apply for a work permit or an extension of their work permit are outlined in the following table.

Extension of work permit conditions
Processing time of applicationApproximately 2-3 months
Number of applications received in the past 12 months288
Number of applications awaiting decision128
Number of applications approved in the past 12 months118
Number of applications rejected in the past 12 months10

As the Deputy will appreciate, the processing time for dealing with such applications can vary depending on the type of application involved and the particular circumstances of the individual concerned.

In all instances, processing arrangements are kept under ongoing review and steps are taken to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible having regard to overall resources across the full range of services provided by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 618: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications pertaining to persons admitted here for various reasons and subsequently seeking permission to remain for medical treatment; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1577/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the statistics requested by the Deputy regarding applications made by non-EEA nationals seeking permission to remain for medical treatment are outlined in the following table.

Permission to remain for medical treatment
Processing time of applicationApproximately 2-3 months
Number of applications received in the past 12 months8
Number of applications awaiting decision3
Number of applications approved in the past 12 months4
Number of applications rejected in the past 12 months1

As the Deputy will appreciate, the processing time for dealing with such applications can vary depending on the type of application involved and the particular circumstances of the individual concerned. A decision is made once the division receives the appropriate documentation.

In all instances, processing arrangements are kept under ongoing review and steps are taken to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible having regard to overall resources across the full range of services provided by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 619: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications pertaining to persons admitted here for various reasons and subsequently seeking permission to remain as a temporary registered doctor; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1578/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the statistics requested by the Deputy regarding applications made by non-EEA nationals seeking permission to remain as temporary registered doctors are outlined in the following table.

Temporary Registered Doctors
Processing time of application1/2 weeks depending on documentation received
Number of applications received in the past 12 months66
Number of applications awaiting decision15
Number of applications approved in the past 12 months34
Number of applications rejected in the past 12 months4

Applications for temporary registered doctors are dealt with once they are received in the General Immigration Division, and a decision is made once the division receives the appropriate documentation.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 620: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications pertaining to Turkish nationals seeking permission to remain here pursuant to the Turkish association agreement; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1579/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the statistics requested by the Deputy regarding applications made by Turkish nationals seeking permission to remain pursuant to the Turkish Association Agreement are outlined in the following table.

Turkish Association Agreement
Processing time of application2/3 weeks depending on documentation received
Number of applications received in the past 12 months46
Number of applications awaiting decision8
Number of applications approved in the last 12 months25
Number of applications rejected in the last 12 months7

Applications pursuant to the Turkish Association Agreement are processed on receipt by General Immigration Division and a decision is made once the division receives the appropriate documentation.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 621: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications pertaining to non-European Economic Area nationals who have completed 60 months' legal residency here on work permit, work visa or work authorisation conditions and who are seeking permission to remain under the administrative long-term residency scheme; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1580/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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At the present time, I understand that the average processing time for applications for long term residency is in the order of 16 months, down from about 21 months in April 2009. If there is no change in the volumes being received during 2010, it is anticipated that the processing time can be reduced further.

During 2009, 3,528 applications for long term residency were received. In the same period, 3,604 applications were granted and a further 514 applications were refused. In addition, another 644 cases were either withdrawn by the applicant or deemed abandoned.

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