Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 1995

Vol. 451 No. 5

Written Answers. - Citizenship and Nationalisation Applications.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

132 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Justice the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16 will not have his naturalisation application processed for at least six months in view of the fact that he has fulfilled the requirements associated with citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6790/95]

Seamus Brennan

Question:

133 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in processing citizenship applications; if staffing difficulties in her Department are causing application delays of at least six months prior to processing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6791/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.

Applicants for postnuptial citizenship are told that their applications will take up to six months to process. Six months is intended to be taken as the maximum time required to process such applications, provided all documentation is in order. However, applications are generally processed in less than six months and, where there are pressing needs, can be taken out of order for immediate processing.

In the particular case mentioned by the Deputy, the position is that the documents were lodged two months ago and a letter accepting his declaration and confirming his Irish citizenship has been issued to the applicant.

With regard to applications for naturalisation, the position is that a backlog of applications had arisen because of pressure of work in my Department. Additional staff were assigned recently to the citizenship section of my Department and priority is being given to clearing the backlog.