Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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477. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the citizenship applications of healthcare workers will be prioritised given their importance during the Covid-19 pandemic; the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22998/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 6 July 2018. Documentation was requested by my Department by letter dated 2 September 2019. This documentation remains outstanding and the application can only be progressed upon its receipt.

I recognise the crucial role healthcare workers are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have played a vital part in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with legislation. There are no provisions to apply different criteria depending on the category of employment of the applicant and statistics are not maintained by the Immigration Service of my Department to enable me to provide details of the profession of applicants. All applicants are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence and standard checks are carried out as part of the overall process to maintain its integrity.

A significant backlog has built up regarding the granting of citizenships due to the inability to hold in person ceremonies during COVID-19. On 18 January 2021, a temporary system that enables applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty was opened and approximately 1,708 people have received their Irish citizenship since then. A further 1,057 people have returned their signed statutory declarations and the Immigration Service will be sending them their certificates of naturalisation in the coming weeks.

It has also been decided to extend the statutory declaration process to a further 2,500 people and by the end of June, it is expected that 6,500 people will have been given the opportunity to complete their Irish citizenship.

In-person citizenship ceremonies have been provisionally scheduled to resume in December 2021, subject to the safety of all involved being assured.

Plans for the digitalisation of the naturalisation process are well advanced, in line with the plan to significantly modernise the Justice Sector through increased digital and ICT investment. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up additional resources to focus on enhanced customer service delivery, ensuring the integrity of the process is protected and processing applications in a timely and efficient manner.