Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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494. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if steps can be taken to facilitate the regularisation of Brazilian persons resident in Ireland for many years who have sought Irish citizenship. [32948/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Proposals for the draft scheme to regularise undocumented migrants are being developed in line with the Programme for Government commitment to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government, to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents, meeting specified criteria and bearing in mind Ireland's European Union (EU) and Common Travel Area (CTA) commitments.

When the consultation phase with civil society organisations and stakeholders on the proposed approach to the scheme is completed, my Department will work to finalise the details, including the criteria for the scheme, in line with that commitment.

Eligibility for this regularisation scheme will be determined by specific criteria, and is guided by research, including the learning from previous regularisation schemes, such as the 2018 Student Scheme. Those operated by other EU Member States are also being considered in its development.

As outlined in the Justice Plan 2021, we will launch the scheme later this year and work is underway in my Department to give effect to this commitment, with the scheme opening to applications before the end of year.

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 the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on our website at: .