Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of applications for citizenship by naturalisation processed by his Department between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010; the number of applications that were approved; the number refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35940/10]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of applications for Irish citizenship by naturalisation were granted between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010, disaggregated by the applicants' previous nationalities, age and sex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35941/10]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of applications for Irish citizenship by naturalisation refused between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010 disaggregated by the applicants' nationalities, age and sex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35942/10]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of applications for Irish citizenship by naturalisation refused between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010, disaggregated by the reasons for the refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35943/10]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of applications for Irish citizenship by naturalisation refused between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010 on the basis that the applicant had come to the adverse attention of the Garda Síochána; and if he will disaggregate the data by the applicants nationalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35944/10]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of applications for Irish citizenship by naturalisation were refused between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010 on the basis that the applicant had come to the adverse attention of a member of the Garda Síochána in situations where the applicant has not had a conviction recorded against them; and if he will disaggregate the data by the applicants nationalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35945/10]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of applications for Irish citizenship by naturalisation approved between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010 in cases where the applicants had come to the adverse attention of a member of the Garda Síochána; if he will disaggregate the data by the applicants previous nationalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35946/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 to 358, inclusive, together.

Between 1 July, 2009 and 30 June, 2010 there were approximately

12,900 invalid applications for certificates of naturalisation returned to the applicant (by virtue of improper and/or incomplete filling out of the application form.)

6,200 valid applications for a certificate of naturalisation deemed ineligible as the applicant did not meet the statutory requirements

5,700 valid applications for a certificate of naturalisation approved

1,400 valid applications for a certificate of naturalisation refused

Each application for a certificate of naturalisation is examined on its own merits and the Minister decides, in his absolute discretion, whether to grant or refuse the application based on all the information provided. As a result, statistics are not compiled in such a manner as to provide data on the reasons for refusal or granting of applications for certificates of naturalisation. However, I can advise the Deputy that the main negative factors contributing to refusal of naturalisation applications are where I cannot be satisfied that applicants are of good character and/or have not demonstrated that they are in a position to support themselves and their dependants into the future.

In terms of age and gender of those applications approved in the period in question, approximately 1,100 were minors and the remainder were aged 18 and over: 2,700 were female and 3,000 were male.

The information in respect of those valid applications which were refused over the same period is as follows; 600 were female, 800 were male, approximately 500 were minors with the balance aged 18 and over.

Applications for naturalisation for the period in question were received from nationals of over 130 countries.