Vol. 531 No. 5
7 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the delays in processing applications for Irish citizenship; the reason for these delays; and the plans he has to provide a more efficient service. [6060/01]
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.
The Minister may be misleading the House in terms of his comments about reducing the time for processing applications to two years. On 17 May 2000, he told me in a reply that the length of time taken to finalise an application for naturalisation was approximately two years. One of the Minister's predecessors, former Deputy Ray Burke, during the passports for sale scandal was able to process passport applications in a matter of weeks. Naturalisation was a rapid process at that time, but there may have been particular reasons for it.
It was all the paperwork.
Does the Minister accept it is a disgrace that the applications of people who have been in the State for five years are further delayed by two years? It is wrong that people are left in limbo for years after their applications have been made. Does the Minister accept that position indicates that incompetence and inefficiency are the hallmarks of his Department during his watch? If it cannot deal with naturalisation applications within a reasonable time, the Minister has questions to answer in relation to his administration.
Regarding the naturalisation scheme, which was commonly known as the passports for sale scheme, Deputy O'Keeffe will be aware that I abolished that scheme on my watch because I deemed such a move appropriate.
The evidence had emerged.
The Deputy may not have been a member of the Rainbow Administration, but he was on the backbenches. From the files I have read, I assure him that his Administration was relatively expeditious in relation to the granting of such applications for passports. I do not suggest there was anything wrong in that regard, but—
It was nothing like what was happening.
Order, please.
I assure the Deputy that applications were dealt with expeditiously during the Rainbow Government's term of office. That is a fact.
No, it is not.
I abolished the scheme and the Department is now dealing with naturalisation applications from people who have been in the country for five years. I agree with Deputy O'Keeffe that it is taking longer than one would wish. As I outlined, the number of such applications increased by approximately 35% between 1999 and 2000. The same number of staff had to deal with an increased number of applications and this is why the delay increased to two and a half years. Following an increase in staff numbers, it has been reduced to two years. While the new staff are on a learning curve, it is anticipated that they will be familiar with their new surroundings and the legislation in the near future. This will also apply to the additional staff and this should help to reduce the waiting period. The increase of 2% in the number of post-nuptial applications was not as substantial. The level of applications has been constant for some years.
Given that the Minister indicated an 80% failure rate in the filling out of applications forms, does he accept there is a deficiency in the form or the explanatory note or both? Is there any delay, deliberate or otherwise, in processing applications pending the coming into force of the Minister's new naturalisation and citizenship legislation?
Does the Minister accept that one clerk examining the applications as they arrive could assess immediately whether they had been correctly completed? Does he further accept that all that is necessary thereafter is a Garda report and a check on the position in relation to work permits and tax affairs? Does the Minister agree that all this should take a couple of months at most? The current position is ridiculous. That the Minister is allowing these delays to continue is typical of the Government's approach, which is hallmarked by inefficiency and incompetence.
I very much regret that Deputy O'Keeffe has blunderbussed into my area of activity with a remark of that kind, but I can assure him that his comments are totally unfounded. In this matter there is a certain procedure involved and it must be followed. If I may explain it briefly, the documents submitted with each application include the passport, birth certificate, etc., and these of course are all examined, together with the application form, and they are verified. At that point a report regarding the individual's circumstances is sought from the Garda Síochána. Normally the gardaí conduct an interview with the individual to obtain this information. Then there are inquiries regarding the individual's work permit, tax affairs, etc.
It all could be done together.
It is only then, when all of that information is gathered, which, of necessity, will take some time, that the application is submitted to me for a decision.
The fact that there are a high number of applications at present, coupled with the fact that we had a low number of staff, did lead to delays. I accept what Deputy O'Keeffe is saying, that the delay is unacceptable and should be eliminated. We have increased the staff from nine to 15, and shortly the staff will be increased to 18. As a result I hope the Department will process this matter more speedily in future.
I would, of course, remind Deputy O'Keeffe that the recent phenomenon of immigration and the application for asylum clearly take up a considerable amount of resources and staff. However, I am mindful of the fact that there are people who are left waiting for too long and it is also my objective, as I know it is Deputy O'Keeffe's, to shorten that period by as much as possible.
I will keep up the pressure on this issue.
