Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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256. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a person whose spouse has died is eligible to apply for Irish citizenship through marriage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26860/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Citizenship Division of my Department have advised that a person who was married to an Irish citizen but is now bereaved can apply for a Certificate of Naturalisation as a Standard Adult.

If granted naturalisation, they will pay the reduced fee of €200 for the Certificate of Naturalisation.

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. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for 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.

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/.