Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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104. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when resumption and progression to decision on all naturalisation applications currently waitlisted when the return of original documentation is expected on these applications; the number of 2019 applications and the number of 2020 applications not yet concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36796/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it. My Department has continued to accept and process applications throughout the pandemic. However, processing rates have been negatively impacted by the necessary health and safety related restrictions and from a High Court case in 2019, which was subsequently successfully appealed.

As a result, regrettably, there are just over 24,600 applications currently on hand at various stages of processing.

Since opening the statutory declaration system in January, we have invited 6,500 applicants to complete the final steps prior to the granting of a certificate of naturalisation. Almost 3,900 people have received their certificates so far. Approximately 900 more will receive them in the coming weeks.

Additional staff are being assigned to the citizenship team; and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. These measures will free up staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving customer service and reducing waiting times. Based on current staff resources, the decision making timeframe is expected to revert to 6-9 months during 2022.

In normal circumstances, passports are returned to applicants approximately 10 days after their receipt. However, the current limits on the numbers of staff attending the office due to public health restrictions, has resulted in some delays in this. My Department has recently advised customers not to submit passports with their applications between 25 June and 30 September if they think that they will need to travel during this time. This will also allow the citizenship team to prioritise the processing of applications during the summer months. Where passports have already been submitted and are now needed for urgent reasons, such as medical reasons or to sit medical exams, applicants can contact the citizenship team to request their return. I can assure the Deputy that all requests of this nature will be dealt with promptly.