Applications from the parents of Irish-born children to stay in Ireland can be made from today to the Department of Justice.
The notice gives details of new arrangements for the consideration of such applications. The new arrangements were introduced after the Citizenship Act was passed late last year. This followed the citizenship referendum which ended the automatic right to Irish citizenship of all children born in Ireland.
This left some 11,000 non-national families - with Irish citizen children born before the passing of the Act - in a legal limbo. The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, promised he would look at their situation when the Act was passed.
Such families can now apply on a form that can be down-loaded from the Department's website, or obtained directly from its office oBurgh Quay and Garda district headquarters from January 21st. Separate applications must be made by both parents by the end of March.
The applications must be accompanied by evidence of continuous residence in the State, a letter from a community welfare officer stating that the applicant has been receiving welfare benefits, and, if the person was employed, details of that employment.
Successful applicants will be allowed to remain in the State for two years, after which their residency will be reviewed. If applicants have been self-sufficient and of good character, and if the initial information supplied was correct, they will be allowed remain for a further three years, after which they can apply for citizenship based on residency.
Asked what would happen to a non-national parent of an Irish-born child who was not self-sufficient, a Department spokeswoman said that these would be examined on a case-by-case basis.