Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to address the long waiting lists for citizenship and residency applications. [6793/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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During the last few years, the volume of work in the citizenship area of my Department has increased significantly. The table below sets out the position in respect of naturalisation and post-nuptial citizenship since 2001.

The major reduction in the number of asylum applications has given me an opportunity to refocus resources in areas of service provision for non-nationals. For example, since November 2004, the number of staff working exclusively on citizenship matters has doubled to 41. Furthermore, other sections within the broad immigration area, such as those dealing with visas and residency applications, have been expanded to cope with the additional workload in thoseareas.