Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the processing time for applications for a certificate of naturalisation; his views on whether it is acceptable that a person should be required to wait for such a period; the steps which he is taking to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12932/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The average processing time for applications for certificates of naturalisation is currently 24 months. The lengthy processing time for applications is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications that were received in the last number of years. The following table shows the number of applications received in the years 2000 to 2005, inclusive.

I have informed this House on a number of occasions that 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. Citizenship is but one of the services provided by the Irish naturalisation and immigration service. While the number of staff working exclusively on citizenship matters has doubled to 41 since November 2004, other sections within the broad immigration area, such as those dealing with visas and residency applications, have also been expanded to cope with the additional workload in those areas.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is an honour and applications must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is given only to persons who are suitably qualified. I believe it would be beneficial to the Deputy if I set out a short synopsis of the procedures employed to assess an applicant for naturalisation.

Upon receipt, each application is examined to determine whether the statutory application is completed fully. Incomplete application forms are returned to the applicant for amendment. Valid applications are then examined to determine if the applicant meets the statutory residency criteria set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act. Passports and other documentation are examined in detail and inquiries with the Garda National Immigration Bureau may also be necessary. Since this procedure was introduced on 1 April 2005, more than 1,400 applicants who applied since that date have been found to be ineligible. All such applicants are informed of any shortfall in their residency and will be able to reapply when they have the required residency.

The next stage of the process involves assessing an applicant's financial status in respect of his or her ability to support himself or herself in the State. Inquiries with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social and Family Affairs may be necessary in this regard. At the same time inquiries are also made with the Garda Síochána to clarify whether the applicant can be deemed to be of good character. Certain circumstances in individual cases may require a greater level of investigation than other cases. Once all inquiries are completed, the file is referred to me for a decision. The Deputy will appreciate that these processes can take a lengthy time to complete.

The procedures outlined have been developed and refined over a number of years and I am satisfied that they are necessary to maintain the integrity of the naturalisation process. Consequently, there is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved.