Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

976. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she has taken to ensure that citizenship applications are not facing disproportionate delays based on the applicant’s country of origin. [46881/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.

It is important to note that no two applications are the same and some take longer than others to process.

All applicants must undergo Garda vetting. Unfortunately, it is the case that some international checks can take a considerable amount of time and are largely out of the control of my Department.

Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing processing times.

In just 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 in 2023 and nearly 31,000 in 2024. This has meant that the length of time it takes to process an application has dropped from 15 months in 2023 to 8 months in 2024.

Citizenship Division held 24 citizenship ceremonies last year, an increase from the 15 ceremonies held in 2023, and the 6 that were held in 2022. My Department will continue to hold ceremonies on a regular basis during 2025.

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

977. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a citizenship application (details supplied); when it is likely that same will be completed as it is over 55 months since the application was first lodged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46899/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.

This application is based on Section 16 'Irish Association', which can take typically longer to process than applications based upon residency.

Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted. Section 16 of the Act gives discretion to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations (related through blood, affinity or adoption to a person who is or is entitled to be an Irish citizen).

Any application made under S16 should be supported by substantive documentation. This documentation should show that the S16 application is exceptional and one where the normal residency pathways to citizenship 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.

Officials in my Department are in the process of finalising guidelines, which will provide clarity to both applicants and decision-makers on what factors may be considered when deciding whether to waive such naturalisation conditions under section 16(1)(a) of the Act. These new guidelines are being developed in the interests of fair and transparent procedures and comprehensive decision making. Details of the new guidelines will be made publicly available once they have been finalised and should also assist in reducing processing times for these complex cases.