Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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623. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to an issue which has arisen in relation to persons who were born in the UK but have lived and worked in Ireland for 30 years and more who are being charged €1,200 for an Irish passport; when this charge was introduced; the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23723/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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All naturalisation applications, whether they are made by EU citizens or non-EU citizens, are processed entirely in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended, and having regard to the particular merits of the application.

The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation.

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 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee, stipulated at €175, is payable on application for a certificate of naturalisation and a certification fee is payable on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation.

The standard certification fee is set at €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 recognised refugees and stateless persons the certification fee is nil.

There is no provision in the Regulations for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act are kept under ongoing review by my Department; however, there are no plans to amend the fees.

On receipt of a certificate of naturalisation the successful applicant can make an application for an Irish passport and the fees in relation to that application and the issuing of a passport are a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs.