Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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522. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1061 of 21 March 2023 and 163 of 9 March 2022, when a decision will be made in the application for naturalisation for an Indian national (details supplied), married to an Irish citizen since 14 February 2010, who submitted a naturalisation application in 2020 and has, to date, not received a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24049/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, requires applications for naturalisation on behalf of minors to be made by a parent or guardian of the minor.

When a minor is the subject of a care order, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, takes on the role and responsibility of providing for that child. However, Tusla does not become the child's parent or guardian within the meaning of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, as amended, and it is for this reason that applications for naturalisation made by Tusla on behalf of minors are not accepted as valid applications. This issue is currently being examined by my Department, in consultation with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Please also note that once a minor reaches the age of 18 years it is open to them to submit an application for naturalisation in their own right.

I wish to advise that the people concerned may wish to make an application for a travel document. A travel document is an official document which assists qualifying non Irish Nationals who are resident in Ireland to travel abroad. More information and the relevant application form is available on the Irish Immigration website at www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/applying-for-a-travel-document/.

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.