City-based Nasc says today's announcement by Justice Minister Helen McEntee will bring equal measures of joy and relief to people who have been 'living in the shadows for years'.
The Justice Department say the 'once in a generation' scheme will open in January and successful applicants will receive immigration permission and so can begin their path to citizenship.
The number of undocumented people in the state is unknown, however there could be up to 17,000 including up to 3,000 children.
Speaking to RedFM News, Fiona Hurley of Nasc in Cork says the scheme will make a huge difference:
"For someone who is undocumented, we know there is a higher rate of workplace exploitation, we know that there is a higher rate of poverty. These are people who often cannot, or sorry, feel afraid to go to the Gardai, if they've experienced abuse, or if they've been a victim of a crime. If they don't have a status, they may not be able to get a PPS number. So simple things like interacting with our health system become extremely complicated. So for the first time, that these families these individuals will be able to step out, are you able to take a full part in society."
