Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Paul Kehoe):   I move: That Dáil Éireann, noting that the Government on 14 October 2014 nominated Emily Logan, Teresa Blake, Frank Conaty, Heydi Foster, Liam Herrick, David Joyce, Mark Kelly, Sunniva McDonagh, Siobhán Mullally, Mary Murphy, Fidèle Mutwarasibo, Ray Murphy, Orlagh O’Farrell, Betty Purcell and Kieran […]

Nasc are supporting a Bill being introduced to the Seanad this afternoon by Senator David Norris providing a pathway to residency for asylum seekers who have been awaiting a decision on their protection application for 4 years or more. Senator Norris will be introducing the Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2014 today as […]

328. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current waiting times for the processing of spouse reunification visas by INIS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): In accordance with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service’s (INIS) Policy Document on […]

125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she continues to monitor the situation affecting a number of holders of work permits who have resided and have been employed here for several years most often in the same employment, but whose work permits were not renewed regularly […]

26. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to create a visa programme for graduates from middle-income countries such as China, Mexico, Brazil, India, and-or Russia, to incentivise visitors from these countries, who could work here, specifically to aid in areas where employers are finding it difficult to […]

On 16 October 2014, our Campaigns and Communications Officer Jennifer DeWan attended the launch of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality’s Report on the hearings in relation to Domestic and Sexual Violence. Representatives of many of the organisations that contributed to the hearings through written and oral submissions attended the report launch in […]

139. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amounts paid to companies or persons running direct provision centres each year since the system was introduced in 1999, with a breakdown of the figures to identify the recipient; the direct provision centre, and the amount they received in each year. Minister for […]

Nasc welcomes the invitation made to our CEO Fiona Finn to sit on the Working Group, which will make recommendations to the government to improve the system of direct provision and Ireland’s protection system. Nasc CEO Fiona Finn comments: “We are happy to be asked to participate in what we consider the first step in […]

The issue of Direct Provision was debated at Cork County Council this afternoon, on foot of a motion by Cllr Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. The motion heavily criticized the system, and called for fundamental change in the manner in which asylum seekers are treated. Cllr Ó Laoghaire has stated that the system is increasingly coming under […]

The Office for the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) have released new amendments to the Subsidiary Protection guidelines as a result of the judgment in H. N. v. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ireland and the Attorney General, the European Union (Subsidiary Protection) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 426 of 2013) (the ‘Nawaz’ case). The guidelines can be viewed […]

297. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applicants for Irish naturalisation approved for persons not currently resident here; and of these the number of same sex couples. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, […]

267. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the definition of a stateless person in Irish law. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): There is no statutory definition of stateless person under Irish law. However, the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended), refers to a stateless person as […]

104. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he put forward at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings in relation to the actions Europe needs to take to deal with ISIS in view of the huge loss of life and the persecution of minorities inflicted by extremist militants; the number […]

Former work permit holders who have become undocumented in the State may now be eligible to apply for a reactivation work permit and regularise their status. From the 01st October 2014, INIS is accepting applications for a temporary Stamp 1 for the purposes of applying for a reactivation employment permit from the Department of Enterprise […]

Some 3,100 people were officially granted Irish citizenship this past week in ceremonies in the Convention Centre in Dublin.  That will make over 77,000 new Irish citizens over the last three years. Nasc, the Irish Immigrant Support Centre and the Immigrant Council of Ireland and would like to jointly extend our congratulations to all of […]

87. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure that all persons who have received a certificate of naturalisation from her Department are registered in Iris Oifigiúil in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): […]

85. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will introduce a pre-clearance scheme for non-visa required elderly dependent relatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): As the Deputy will be aware, the policy document published by my […]

The following motion was moved by Deputy Thomas Pringle on Tuesday, 30 September 2014: That Dáil Éireann: notes: — 2014 marks the 14th year of the existence of the Direct Provision system in Ireland; — over 4,300 asylum seekers are currently residing in the 34 Direct Provision centres in the State, some of whom have […]

In the wake of attending the Roundtable Discussion held by Ministers Fitzgerald and Ó Riordáin on Ireland’s protection system and direct provision, Nasc has made a written submission to the Minister for Justice to reiterate the issues CEO Fiona Finn presented on the day. The submission is available for download here. Key points in the […]

Nasc has endorsed a submission made by the Immigrant Council of Ireland last week to the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald in relation to providing alternative housing for victims of trafficking.  The submission can be downloaded here. The submission highlights that, currently, suspected victims of trafficking are housed in the direct provision system pending their formal […]