Written answers

Thursday, 13 May 2021

Department of Justice and Equality

Citizenship Applications

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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369. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to obtain citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25189/21]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.

The details supplied by the Deputy do not mention the place of residence, however, Section 15A of the 1956 Act provides that, where the application is based on being the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen the requirements include that the couple are married or civil partners to each other for a period of at least 3 years and are living together and, immediately before the date of application, have a period of one year's continuous residence in the island of Ireland and, during the preceding four years, have a further period amounting to 2 years (i.e. 3 years in total).

Section 15A(2) provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion waive some of the conditions in relation to an application from a spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen if he is satisfied that the applicant would suffer serious consequences in respect of his or her bodily integrity or liberty if not granted Irish citizenship.

It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory conditions as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available at: .

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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370. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the citizenship applications of front-line health care workers living in direct provision will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25209/21]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 as amended. There are no provisions to apply different criteria depending on the category of employment of the applicant.

All applicants for citizenship are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence in the state and their place of residence in the state is not a determining factor. Therefore an application, for a certificate of naturalisation, from a person whose reckonable residence is derived wholly or in part while resident in direct provision accommodation will not be impacted.

I recognise and acknowledge the crucial role frontline 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 been playing a key role in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

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. Approximately 1,708 people have received their Irish citizenship since then including a significant number of healthcare and other frontline workers. 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 by the end of June. At that point, we will have communicated with all those that were recorded, as at 30 December 2020, as having been in the system 24 months or more and 6,500 people, including a significant number of healthcare and other frontline workers, will have been given the opportunity to complete their Irish citizenship. Those receiving a communication from my Department are being invited to complete the final steps required prior to the granting of a certificate of naturalisation.

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.

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