Written answers

Wednesday, 17 January 2024

Department of Justice and Equality

Citizenship Applications

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1137. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a citizenship certificate will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1764/24]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1147. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if another citizenship certificate can issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1915/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1137 and 1147 together.

I am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that a Certificate of naturalisation for the person referred to by the Deputy was issued in November 2023. The Citizenship Division have informed me that they have made direct contact with the person concerned in relation to the issue raised and they should continue to engage with Citizenship Division in this regard.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1138. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1765/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.

I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. 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 eVetting and online payments.

My Department has recently moved from paper to online based citizenship applications. This is one of a number of measures introduced in an effort to optimise the application process and enhance the overall customer service experience. As part of the new online process customers are issued with an acknowledgment on submission of the online application. The forms provide a seamless application process and help guide applicants through what is required for an application.

Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department intends to communicate regularly with all applicants on a quarterly basis into the future.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1139. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if it is possible for her to provide any further details in relation to citizenship applications (details supplied). [1766/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The naturalisation applications from the people referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.

I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. 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 eVetting and online payments.

My Department has recently moved from paper to online based citizenship applications. This is one of a number of measures introduced in an effort to optimise the application process and enhance the overall customer service experience. As part of the new online process customers are issued with an acknowledgment on submission of the online application. The forms provide a seamless application process and help guide applicants through what is required for an application.

Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department intends to communicate regularly with all applicants on a quarterly basis into the future.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

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