Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1304. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if flexibility can be introduced for persons applying for citizenship to reduce the total cost on applicants for providing evidence through bank statements or other personal data of their continuous residence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2112/22]
View answerThe application process for citizenship applications is reviewed on an ongoing basis to continually improve customer service quality. Feedback from applicants is taken on board and, as a result, a much more simplified, customer-focused and streamlined mechanism for applicants to provide proofs of their residence has been introduced.
From this January, my Department has changed to a scorecard approach, which will bring added clarity regarding what information applicants are required to provide to establish their identity and residence. Applicants will be required to reach a score of 150 points in each of the years for which proof of residency is required. They will do this by submitting proofs with a predetermined point value until they reach the required score of 150 points for each year of residency.
An applicant must also accumulate a total of 150 points for establishing identity in order to meet the appropriate standard. Where an applicant is not able to achieve 150 points, they can engage further with my Department to establish if there are any exceptional or compelling circumstances to allow them to meet the criteria for naturalisation.
Full details on the new arrangements can be found on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie.
