Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

273. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the average length of time from application until citizenship is awarded for those granted citizenship at the most recent awards ceremony. [43883/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Statistics are not compiled in such a way as to provide the information requested by the Deputy. However, over 70% of applications are being decided within 6 months of the date of receipt and most applicants are invited to and attend a citizenship ceremony within 2 months of this timeframe.

Applications are continuously processed from date of receipt. Enquiries are made to establish if the applicant satisfies the conditions for naturalisation such as residency and good character. As well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process and, in some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay and every effort is made to process each application as expeditiously as possible, having regard to the particular circumstances of the case.