Vol. 546 No. 3
335 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay in processing this application; when this process will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31563/01]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 18 December 2000. As I have informed the House on a number of occasions, most recently on 29 November last, I have assigned additional resources to the citizenship area of my Department and the average processing time for naturalisation applications has now been reduced from two and a half years at the start of the year to just under 18 months now.
It is likely the application in question will be finalised early in the new year. As soon as full consideration has been given to this case, I will advise both the applicant and the Deputy of my decision.
336 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 11 October 2001, the request for a change of status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31564/01]
My Department has now written on two occasions to the person in question at the address provided, but has yet to receive a response. The person in question should contact the visa section of my Department to finalise this matter.
