Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 207: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18671/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in September 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Additional resources have been allocated to the Citizenship Division of my Department in order to reduce backlogs and provide a better quality service to all applicants. This has had a positive impact on processing times and has enabled certain categories of applicant to be dealt with more expeditiously. These include refugees, spouses of Irish citizens and minors.

Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is at an advanced stage and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course. The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 208: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the positron regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18832/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in July 2007 and I decided in my absolute discretion to grant a certificate of naturalisation. The person in question was informed of this decision in a letter issued to him on 23 April, 2010. A certificate of naturalisation will issue to the person concerned on receipt of documentation requested to finalise his application.