Bernard Allen
Question:976 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application made for citizenship by a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be approved. [1878/01]
Written Answers. - Citizenship Applications.
An application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 11 September 2000.
Due to the various procedures involved in processing an application for a certificate of naturalisation in respect of a person of full age, together with the high number of applications being received, the average processing time at present is approximately two and a half years.
Extra resources have recently been allocated to the immigration and citizenship division of my Department with a view to, inter alia, reducing the time involved in processing naturalisation applications. These resources will impact considerably on present delays. As soon as full consideration has been given to this application, I will advise both the applicant and the Deputy of my decision.