Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 467: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 5 April 2010 the current backlog in processing applications for naturalisation; when applications currently being processed were originally received by the Immigration Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15149/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Further to Parliamentary Question No 290 of 5 April 2011, I am informed by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the Division is currently commencing further processing of applications received in late 2009.

As I outlined in response to Parliamentary Question Number 69 of 7 April last, I can inform the Deputy that I have initiated steps within my Department to provide for speedier processing of applications for citizenship to bring about a substantial reduction in the processing timescale. These new arrangements will be publicly announced in the coming days. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

I am informed by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the Division is currently commencing further processing of applications received in mid 2009.

The average processing time from application to decision for the generality of valid applications for a certificate of naturalisation is currently 25 months and this has been maintained despite the substantial increases in the volume of applications received in recent years.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is an honour not an entitlement. 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 satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria. In accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government I have requested my officials to explore options for the more efficient processing and determination of citizenship applications within a reasonable time. My intention is to reduce the processing time in this area to the greatest possible extent within the resource envelope available for this work.