Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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329. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she plans to reduce the €950 cost to apply for citizenship, which is the highest in the EU and second to the UK and Switzerland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5094/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee is €175.

A certification fee of €950 is then required following a positive decision being reached on the naturalisation application.

The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee.

The State has not increased the fees for naturalisation applications since 2011.

There is no provision in the Regulations for a discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities, or based on the length of residency in the State.

All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no current plans to amend the fees.