Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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492. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a Department official will meet with a person (details supplied) to discuss the recent refusal of their application for citizenship to assist them to better understand the reason this decision was reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16044/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) that the decision remains as stated in a letter dated 28 November 2023. The reasons for the refusal have been communicated to the person cited by the Deputy.

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.

Any application under Section 16 that relies on Irish associations and affinity should be supported by substantive documentation that in the Minister’s view, renders the application exceptional and one where the normal pathways to citizenship provided for under the legislation are not appropriate.

However, there is no automatic right or entitlement to have any of the statutory conditions waived even where the applicant comes within the certain circumstances defined. This discretion is used very rarely and only under the most exceptional and compelling circumstances.

There is no time limit within which an unsuccessful applicant can make a new application, nor is there any limit on the number of applications made.

Applicants are advised that in making any new application they should bear in mind the reasons for the previous refusal. Each application is examined individually and assessed on their own merits. A decision on an applicant can only be made after a new application is received.

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.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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493. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to clarify when an application (details supplied) will be processed; the reason for the delay to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16069/24]

Helen 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.

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.

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

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.

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.