Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

115. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of current citizenship applications by year the applications were made, in tabular form. [7198/17]

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

I presume the Deputy is referring to applications currently on hand and where the process has not been completed.

As the Deputy will appreciate, 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.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While straightforward cases are generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time, particularly with regard to establishing whether the conditions for naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence are satisfied.

In many cases delays can arise as further documentation may be required from the applicant and/or payment of the certificate fee is awaited, or the applicant has not engaged with the office. In some instances delays can arise at the final stage of the naturalisation process, for example where information comes to light which requires further investigation. In other instances the applicant may request that a hold be put on their application, for example where they may have returned to their country of origin for a prolonged period, to facilitate them in making arrangements to return to reside in the State, or where they have difficulty in obtaining satisfactory evidence of their identity or nationality.

Following a review of outstanding cases carried out in October last year, applicants with outstanding applications are being written to informing them that a time limit is being imposed to pay the requisite certificate fee (which consists the bulk of cases) or to supply documentation which was requested. Requests for an extension of the deadline were acceded in some instances taking account of individual circumstances.

In cases where no valid reason has been advanced for a delay in fee payment or supply of requested documents, or where the applicant has not responded to correspondence over a lengthy period of time, a further submission may be made recommending the refusal of the application and closure of the case.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the number of current citizenship applications by year the applications were made, are as per the following table. Over 80% of all applications on hand were received either in 2016 (with the bulk of those in the second half of the year) and this year to date.