Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider the circumstances of a group of religious sisters (details supplied), who have now been legally resident in Ireland for more than five years; if these persons' visas will be extended in order to facilitate their missionary work and in view of the fact that they are in receipt of financial support from their religious order; if there are any circumstances in which any of these women might successfully apply for a work permit; if the sisters are now entitled to apply for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7629/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a person resident in the State as a minister of religion is given permission to remain on the basis, amongst other criteria, that they will be maintained by their religious institution. Permission of this nature is granted one year at a time. The first person referred to by the Deputy has permission to be in the State until 11 May 2011 and the second person referred to by the Deputy had permission to be in the State until 1 April 2011. Both were on Stamp 3 conditions.

It is open to the persons referred to by the Minister to apply to their local immigration office to have their permission renewed. They should be in a position to show the immigration officer that they are being sponsored by their religious institution.

A person on a Stamp 3 would need to apply for a change of Status to Stamp 1 in order to apply for a work permit. The grant of a Work permit is a matter for the Department of Enterprise Jobs and Innovation.

It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended.