Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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558. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to increase in-person citizenship ceremonies in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16075/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Traditionally, citizenship applicants are required to attend an in-person citizenship ceremony to take an oath of fidelity to the State and complete the process to receive their certificate of naturalisation. Due to the pandemic, it has not been possible to hold such ceremonies since March 2020.

In January 2021, a temporary system was established to enable citizenship applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty to the State. This has temporarily replaced the requirement for citizenship applicants to attend citizenship ceremonies.

Last year, my Department made 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest level since 2015.

I am pleased to confirm that, subject to public health guidelines, I intend to host in-person citizenship ceremonies in June and December this year in Killarney.