Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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168. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will exempt the €950 standard certification fee related to naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 18 who is struggling to pay this fee. [25313/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (SI 569 of 2011). The standard certification fee is stipulated as €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of refugees and stateless persons the certification fee is nil. There is no provision to waive or reduce the applicable statutory fees.

The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation. Every application must be assessed to establish if the statutory requirements are met. 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 might also add that following the grant of citizenship it is no longer necessary for the person concerned to register their presence in the State with the Garda National Immigration Bureau, which requires the payment of a fee of €300 per registration.

As the Deputy will be aware I have introduced formal citizenship ceremonies at no extra cost to applicants. These have been universally well received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the granting of Irish citizenship.