DUBLIN, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Ireland's finance minister Brian Lenihan said on Friday six Irish institutions had so far signed up to join the government's two-year bank guarantee plan.

The six institutions are Allied Irish Banks (ALBK.I: Quote, Profile, Research), Bank of Ireland (BKIR.I: Quote, Profile, Research), Anglo Irish Bank ANGL.I, Irish Life and Permanent (IPM.I: Quote, Profile, Research), Irish Nationwide Building Society and the Educational Building Society.

Foreign-owned banks with significant operations in the country are expected to sign up shortly, the finance ministry said. Those that have been invited to join include Ulster Bank, which is part of Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS.L: Quote, Profile, Research), it added. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Gary Hill)