Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if a reduced payment or an instalment regime of payment will be considered for those filing for naturalisation when the €950 fee would cause hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21204/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations 2008, which came into effect on 1 August 2008, sets the prescribed fee to be paid by the applicant on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation. The standard fee is €950 with certain exceptions where a fee of €200 applies such as in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or where the application is made by a widow or widower whose spouse was, immediately before death, an Irish citizen, and who has not, subsequent to the spouse's death, become a naturalised citizen of a state other than the State. In respect of applications made by or on behalf of a refugee or stateless person or by or on behalf of a programme refugee the certification fee is waived.

I might point out to the Deputy that the current certification fees do not recoup the full cost of processing. In view of the current economic circumstances, there are no plans to introduce an instalment regime for naturalisation certification fees.