Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there any planned changes to the situation in which spouses of stamp 4 holders still have to wait up to five years to get stamp 4; if any consideration has been given to allowing spouses, who have been living here, stamp 4 as well, when their partners receive a stamp 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28650/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to the current Long Term Residence scheme under which spouses of persons who have been granted Long Term Residency on Stamp 4 conditions for 5 years, are entitled to permission to remain in the State on a Stamp 3 (Dependants Stamp) for 5 years, once they also have accrued the required 60 months reckonable residence in the State on Stamp 3 conditions and meet the criterion of good character.

The existing practices and procedures for the granting of Long Term Residence are under currently review and the issue raised by the Deputy will be considered in that context and of course also in the context of the difficult labour market situation. The Deputy might also wish to note that a Stamp 3 may also be issued to spouses of persons who hold a Stamp 4 other than through the Long Term Residence scheme. Spouses of Stamp 4 holders who wish to work in the State may be eligible for a spousal work permit on the basis that their wife/husband has held valid work permits. The issuing of work permits is a matter for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.