Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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278. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if an application for citizenship is current in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10785/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There is no citizenship application awaiting processing by my Department for the person referred to by the Deputy.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and all applications are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Act. Each application is 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.

Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In both cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 6 weeks allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business family or holiday purposes.

Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/