Thanks to all the helpful replies. I will tell them to not bother looking for citizenship but to go for permanent residence instead.

Is there any disadvantage to not having citizenship apart from not being free to travel in the EU?

I actually never believed the story from the word go. Looks to me like some cook up story to focus attention to some people's agenda at trolling this forum and turning it into an immigrant bashing medium. So this story is so bad it couldn't be real? It's to motivate people into immigrant bashing? P...

I'll put my cards on the table: I think you are the male partner in this story. ... Sorry for the confusion, but no, none of your conclusions are correct. I have an interest in this because these are my good friends. I realise now that my last post may have confused. It was a generic statement that...

Some parents are split up and don't live together so get rent allowance x 2 and mother gets single parent allowance. The amount for people in this situation is about 1800 social + 1200 rent allowance + 200 single parent = 3200 per month. In this case has one partner, eg father of Irish born, ever be...

IrishTom wrote:why were they claiming asylum?

If you are non-EU and arrive at the port without a visa you have no choice. Claim asylum or turn back.

I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I think your friends could get a permanent residence certificate. Thanks for the answer. Does a social welfare record count against permanent residence? What is the advantage (if any) to citizenship over permanent residence (aside from being able...

I must ask, in 1999, a majority of the inhabitants in this country could get jobs, even those who did not have status. Yes, lots of these jobs were for cash. One has worked 20 hours per week in a few jobs (to keep social welfare entitlements). They were both recently able to renew for another 3 yea...

Sorry, Irish born was mid 00s, before the referendum and is the reason they have been allowed to stay.

SBT_Owner wrote:I fear this is a troll guys . Well done to those that smelt the troll early on

As I said, I'm not interested in judging. All I want to know is what is the likelihood of getting citizenship. Many Irish have the same or better lives living on social welfare.

I don't really want to get away from the point, they have just made use of the system that was presented to them. They have a good life: two cars, foreign holidays, mobile phones, games consoles and plasma TV etc. So why not? Their standard of living is higher than mine! I'm not interested in judgin...

Thanks for the answer. Regardless of what the outcome should be, is that what it is likely to be? Would occasionally working part-time (ie 20 hours a week, to keep welfare entitlements) help their case? Also if citizenship is declined, what then? Can they wait a few more years and apply again? They'...

It's actually a serious question.

If they apply for citizenship, what are they likely to be told?

Two friends arrived in Ireland from eastern europe (non EU) in 1999, and claimed asylum at the port. They had an Irish-born child in the mid 2000s and have been on the temporary leave to remain scheme for parents of Irish born. They have also been on social welfare/rent allowance/medical card etc si...