Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure to be followed whereby a grandparent wishes to take over guardianship of their grandchild; if a grandparent can complete an application and apply for naturalisation and eventually dual citizenship in respect of a grandchild born in the US; and the documents necessary to complete this process. [21348/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Since the Deputy has not provided sufficient information regarding the person in question, I have set out below the general position with regard to naturalisation for persons under 18 years of age.

Section 15(1) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides inter alia that an applicant for naturalisation must be of full age. Section 16 of the Act sets out a number of circumstances in which the conditions specified in Section 15 can be waived. These include the following: where the applicant is a parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor of Irish descent or Irish associations, or where the applicant is a naturalised Irish citizen acting on behalf of a minor child of the applicant.

If the Deputy wishes to furnish further particulars, officials in the Citizenship Section of my Department will advise him of the position.