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Citizenship Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 September 2021

Thursday, 23 September 2021

Questions (307)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

307. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45811/21]

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Written answers

The original passport of the applicant referred to by the Deputy was returned by registered post on 21 September 2021, along with an acknowledgement letter.

Under normal circumstances, passports are returned approximately 10 days after their receipt. However, the limits on staff attendance in the office due to COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in delays in the return of some passports.

In June 2021, a notice was published on the Immigration Service website asking applicants not to submit their passport with an application for naturalisation between 25 June and 30 September 2021, in order to help with prioritising the processing of applications.

Applicants are advised not to send in their application during this period if they anticipate that they may have to travel at short notice. However, I fully appreciate that people may have to travel at short notice for emergency reasons or require their passports for official reasons. The website advises that, in these circumstances, applicants should email the citizenship helpdesk with the relevant details. Any request must be accompanied by appropriate scanned supporting material, for example, in the case of travel detailing the reasons for travel, such as medical information. Any request of this nature is dealt with promptly.

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