Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for residency and naturalisation on hand; the reason it takes more than 26 months to process an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38890/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that in 2011 it will receive about 28,000 applications for naturalisation. This is an historic high. Currently, just over 10,000 standard cases are awaiting a decision for more than 6 months. In addition, there are about 3,500 complex cases in the system for longer periods which require further investigation before a decision can be made on them.

There has been an enormous increase in the volume of applications for a certificate of naturalisation in recent years. In 2000 the number of applications made that year was just over 1,000 whereas last year the number was 25,671 - an increase of almost 2,500%. Quite clearly, this dramatic increase in volume has impacted on the capacity of the administrative system to process them and has given rise to a major backlog.

I can inform the Deputy that measures I introduced earlier this year have resulted in a significant increase in the number of cases decided and it is my objective that by the spring of next year, save in exceptional circumstances, persons applying for citizenship will be given a decision on their application within six months.

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. The procedures employed to assess an applicant for naturalisation are summarised below.

Upon receipt, an initial examination of each application is carried out to determine if the statutory application form is completed fully and all necessary supporting documentation has been supplied. Passports and other documentation are examined in detail, and the applicant will have 4 weeks to address any shortcomings. Valid applications are then examined to determine if the applicant meets the statutory residency criteria set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act.

Further checks involve assessing an applicant's financial status in respect of their ability to support themselves in the State. Enquiries with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection may be necessary in this regard. Enquiries are also made with An Garda Síochána in order that I can be satisfied that the applicant is of good character. Depending on the complexity of any given case, these processes can take a lengthy time to complete. Once all enquiries are completed, the application is referred to me for a decision.