Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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298. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the length of time it is taking from Irish citizenship ceremonies to when new citizens receive their certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36782/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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All certificates of naturalisation for attendees of a citizenship ceremony are issued via registered post and applicants can expect to receive their certificate within 6-8 weeks.

I want to assure anyone who is waiting for their certificate of naturalisation that they do not need to renew their immigration permission whilst they await a certificate.

By not issuing certificates on the day of the ceremonies, my Department has been able to simplify the administrative steps required to be completed at registration desks. This in turn has made it possible to significantly increase the number of attendees who can attend any one day of ceremonies.

These steps are part of an overall programme of work to speed up the naturalisation process for applicants. This includes introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting.

My Department 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 has already held 13 ceremonies this year and will continue to hold more ceremonies on a regular basis during 2025.

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 made more than 31,000 decisions in 2024.