The lengthy processing times for citizenship applications reflect, in common with most other immigration related services provided by the immigration and citizenship division of my Department, the large increase in the number of applications in recent years. Last year, 1,004 applications for naturalisation were received, an increase of 36% on the 1999 figure of 739 and 190% on the 1996 figure of 347. The number of applications for post-nuptial citizenship has remained constant over the past two years – 420 per year approximately – but represents an increase of 64% on the figure for 1996, which was 256. In addition, my Department is responsible for finalising about 600 applications for post-nuptial citizenship from persons resident outside the State.
Another factor in the delay in processing citizenship applications is that a significant number of such applications are either incorrectly completed or incomplete despite comprehensive written instructions being included with application forms and the availability of a help line in my Department. It is estimated by officials in my Department that more than 80% of applications fall into this category. This generates vast amounts of correspondence which requires resources which might otherwise be involved in finalising correct applications.
Significant additional resources have been allocated to the immigration and citizenship division of my Department as part of the overall resource package underpinning the Government's immigration and asylum strategy. While most of those resources are being dedicated to that strategy, provision was also made in the package for the allocation of staff who are dedicated exclusively to the processing of citizenship applications. The intention is to reduce the processing time of applications through a combination of quicker throughput of applications and the implementation, where possible, of streamlined procedures. Most of the staff are now in place and, when the remainder come on stream, the staff engaged full-time in the processing of citizenship applications will have doubled from nine to 18. Notwithstanding the arrival of many of the staff in question and the need for training, etc, the average processing time for naturalisation applications has already been reduced from two and a half years to two years. As further new staff come on stream and existing staff become more familiar with the legislative provisions and operational procedures, the intention is that further reductions in processing times will be achieved.
In seeking to expedite applications, I am conscious that the granting of Irish citizenship is an honour and that applications must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is given only to persons who are suitably qualified. There is, therefore, a limit to the reduction in the processing time that is possible without affecting the integrity of the citizenship process itself.