Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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371. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the expected and current residency status and eligibility for naturalisation of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5982/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was issued with a formal declaration of refugee status by letter dated 20th March 2002. At that time, the person concerned was advised of the rights and entitlements accompanying refugee status in the State. The person concerned continues to hold the status of refugee in the State.

I am also advised that there is no record of a current application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person concerned.

It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended. Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains an on-line naturalisation residency calculator which individuals may find of assistance in establishing if the residency requirements are met.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.