Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the waiting time for the processing of naturalisation applications, in view of the fact that applicants must have residency for at least five years; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties these long delays can have on families and in particular education access for their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42316/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The statutory requirements for naturalisation are set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. This provides that applicants for naturalisation, other than spouses of Irish citizens, must have been resident for five years of the nine year period prior to the date of application. Resident in this context means residence for which the applicant had the permission of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and where such permission was not granted for the purposes of study or seeking asylum.

The average processing time for applications for certificates of naturalisation is approximately 24 months and this is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications received in the last number of years.

As the Deputy has not elaborated on any particular difficulties experienced by applicants or their families, I cannot respond fully to his question. However, I should point out that having Irish citizenship is not a prerequisite for accessing education in Ireland.