Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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498. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average length of time a naturalisation application remains queued for processing, before reaching staff for assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10671/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for naturalisation applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. The specific information as requested by the Deputy is not collated in the manner described. The current median processing time is 19 months.

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.

In a little over two years the Citizenship Division of my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications. This 66% increase in processing has been achieved through digitising and streamlining processes.

Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department continues to communicate regularly with all applicants to keep them informed as to updates on processing times and arrangements.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that correspondence will issue to the person referred to by the Deputy in relation to this application in the coming days.

I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to all of those who apply for it. I recognise that the delays in progressing times are frustrating for people and 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.

In a little over two years the Citizenship Division of my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications. This 66% increase in processing has been achieved through digitising and streamlining processes.

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: IMoireachtasmail@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.