Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will update and extend the residency status in the case of persons (details supplied) who have lived and worked here for many years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15912/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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If the person whose details were supplied has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection in the State, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on such applications until they have fully completed the protection process. This is in accordance with Section 26 of the International Protection Act, 2015.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) wrote to all applicants in December 2016 to advise them that, in so far as it is required under the transitional requirement in the International Protection Act 2015, they (INIS) would be in touch with them in January 2017 if the new procedures in the 2015 Act applied to their existing application or appeal. Applicants were also advised that they might be asked at that time to provide additional information to assist in the processing of their application.

The prioritisation of international protection applications is provided for in the International Protection Act 2015 subject to the need for fairness and efficiency. Details of the International Protection Office's approach to the prioritisation of applications, as agreed with the UNHCR, are on its website. A Customer Service Centre established by the International Protection Office may be contacted by individuals with any queries - info@ipo.gov.ie.