John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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474. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications made for naturalisation that are still undecided and that have been in the system for more than five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44258/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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At the end of November 2020, there were 484 applications on hand for 5 years or more. These cases are at various stages of processing and some involve cases where there has been no further engagement by the applicant with the Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department for some time. Citizenship Division continue to liaise with these applicants with a view to finalising their applications.

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. However, 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 and applications can only be progressed when all of the requested documentation is received.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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475. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in the naturalisation process for a person (details supplied); and when they will receive citizenship. [44282/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 7 September 2018. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If any further documentation is required, it will be requested from the person in due course.

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. However, 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.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.