Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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361. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the proposals she has to extend the present provision whereby a minister of religion can obtain a further extension beyond six years of temporary permission to remain in this State if that applicant does not wish to submit a citizenship application and is not proposing to remain in Ireland long-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15725/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of Religion scheme allows qualifying religious personnel to remain in the State for up to three years, where there is a demonstrated need for their services and subject to compliance with all other immigration requirements that apply in individual cases. In the normal course, a Minister of Religion may be eligible for three further one year extensions of this permission and each application for extension is examined on its individual merits.

There is currently no provision for further extensions to the Minister of Religion scheme. However my officials are keeping this matter under review.

On 17 December 2021, I announced a further temporary extension of immigration and international protection permissions to 31 May 2022. This extension applies to permissions that are due to expire between 15 January 2022 and 31 May 2022, and includes permissions that have already been extended by the previous temporary extensions since March 2020. Further detail can be found at : www.irishimmigration.ie/minister-mcentee-announces-further-temporary-extension-of-immigration-permissions/.

If required, Ministers of Religion permissions will be covered by this extension until 31 May 2022 and may rely on the published website notice as confirmation.

It is open to any person on any immigration permission to apply for a change of their immigration status if they meet the criteria for doing so. More information is available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/.