Written Answers Nos. 1211-1226
1211. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 516 of 14 December 2021, the number of applications that are going to multiple applications and the number going to individuals, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63233/21]
View answerSince the onset of the pandemic, immigration permissions have been extended nine times, which means that people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 are legally permitted to remain until 31 May 2022.
As a result of the unavoidable delays that have resulted from closures and the reduced capacity of the Registration Office during Covid-19, a high number of customers are now coming forward to seek an appointment. When the office is open, 50% of normal capacity or 200 first time registration appointments are permitted every day in the Registration Office of my Department. This is the maximum allowed under current public health guidelines, which are strictly adhered to for the safety of all staff and customers alike.
My Department has in the past worked in partnership with colleges and other stakeholders to map demand and potentially book appointments for discrete groups on particular days, usually on weekends when the Public Office was closed.
As part of my Department’s ongoing work to meet the current unprecedented demand for first-time registration appointments, on 10 January 2022, a Freephone service (0800 741 741) was introduced for customers. It is currently operating 12 hours a day from Monday to Friday (8am to 8pm) and 8 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday (9am to 5pm). There are currently between 15 and 20 customer service representatives taking calls and making appointments for the Registration Office in Burgh Quay. All appointments for persons to register their immigration permission are now issued through this service, with operators offering one appointment per call, unless it is for an identifiable family group.
In the first week of operation, over 2,000 customers have received appointments booked through the Freephone service. On average, more than 425 customer appointments are confirmed each day and registration will take place as soon as possible.
The Registration Office’s customer service team is available to support customers who may have language difficulties or may need assistance with translation. A number of multi-lingual videos describing the registration process and what to expect are available on our website www.irishimmigration.ie.
Dublin based customers seeking to renew their permission can continue to do so online at inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login.
1212. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the reason that an applicant for a stamp 5 was charged €300 (details supplied) when the application was signed at the immigration section at Ballyshannon Garda station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63244/21]
View answerBased on the information supplied, which does not include a name, it has unfortunately not been possible for my Department to identify the person referred to by the Deputy. If the Deputy wishes to provide further information to my Department it can examine the matter further.
More generally, the registration of a person with a stamp 5 immigration permission is granted on application to persons who have completed 96 months legal residence in the State and who are in receipt of a letter from the Minister. They would not be exempt from paying the registration fee of €300, even where they had previously been exempt from paying such a fee.
Each person successfully registered with an immigration permission pays the €300 registration fee, with the following exemptions:
- Stamp 4 EUFAM;
- Spouse of an Irish National;
- Withdrawal Agreement Beneficiaries;
- Convention Refugees;
- Subsidiary Protection Beneficiaries; and
- Minors under the age of 18 years.
As the Deputy will be aware, registrations for people living outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.
1213. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the work undertaken on the reconfiguration of the child protection units in An Garda Síochána; the impact this reconfiguration has had on the number of cases being investigated each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63278/21]
View answerI thank the Deputy for tabling this question which I understand he has clarified refers to the nationwide rollout of the Divisional Protective Service Units.
As the Deputy will be aware, Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) support the delivery of a consistent and professional approach to the investigation of sexual and domestic crime. Personnel assigned to DPSUs have been provided with a bespoke training course consisting of a number of modules addressing issues such as: investigation of sexual crime; child protection; investigation of domestic abuse; online child exploitation and sex offender management.
The Divisional Protective Services Units provide a best practice service in relation to all relevant incidents and interventions and are responsible for the quality and conduct of their investigations, including the regular updating of victims.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business. As Minister, I play no direct role in their independent functions. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.
On foot of the Deputy's question, I contacted the Garda Commissioner to provide information on the numbers assigned to the DPSUs. The information received is set out in the table below which shows the number of Garda members attached to the Divisional Protective Services Units as at 14/01/2022. Garda staff are not captured by unit, but rather by Division.
|
DPSU 14.01.2022 |
Detective Inspector |
Inspector |
Detective Sergeant |
Sergeant |
Detective Garda |
Garda |
Grand Total |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
0 |
|
1 |
|
10 |
|
11 |
|
CLARE |
1 |
|
1 |
|
6 |
|
8 |
|
CORK CITY |
0 |
|
3 |
|
19 |
|
22 |
|
CORK NORTH |
0 |
|
2 |
|
8 |
|
10 |
|
CORK WEST |
1 |
|
2 |
|
9 |
|
12 |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
0 |
|
2 |
|
9 |
|
11 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
0 |
|
4 |
|
19 |
|
23 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
0 |
|
4 |
|
20 |
|
24 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
0 |
|
4 |
|
18 |
|
22 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
0 |
|
2 |
|
15 |
|
17 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
1 |
|
4 |
|
15 |
|
20 |
|
DONEGAL |
0 |
|
1 |
|
5 |
|
6 |
|
GALWAY |
0 |
|
2 |
|
15 |
|
17 |
|
KERRY |
1 |
|
1 |
|
9 |
|
11 |
|
KILDARE |
0 |
|
2 |
|
10 |
|
12 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
10 |
2 |
15 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
0 |
|
2 |
|
10 |
|
12 |
|
LIMERICK |
0 |
|
0 |
|
10 |
1 |
11 |
|
LOUTH |
0 |
|
2 |
|
9 |
|
11 |
|
MAYO |
0 |
|
2 |
|
9 |
|
11 |
|
MEATH |
0 |
|
1 |
|
6 |
|
7 |
|
ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD |
0 |
|
1 |
|
5 |
|
6 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
0 |
|
1 |
|
5 |
|
6 |
|
TIPPERARY |
0 |
|
2 |
|
9 |
|
11 |
|
WATERFORD |
0 |
|
2 |
|
10 |
2 |
14 |
|
WESTMEATH |
0 |
|
1 |
|
6 |
|
7 |
|
WEXFORD |
0 |
|
2 |
|
10 |
|
12 |
|
WICKLOW |
0 |
|
2 |
|
6 |
|
8 |
|
Grand Total |
4 |
1 |
55 |
292 |
5 |
357 |
Funding was provided in Budget 2022 for keeping our communities safe and preventing crime in all its forms. This included provision for high visibility policing through the recruitment of 800 additional Garda Trainees and 400 Garda staff.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence in all its forms, and to supporting victims of such heinous crimes. I want to ensure that victims feel empowered to report what has happened to them and that when they do, they are fully supported at every stage of their interaction with our justice system.
The Government's commitment to combatting domestic, sexual and gender based violence and to supporting victims is reflected in the funding allocated under Budget 2022, with a total of €13m allocated to my Department for its work in this area.
This represents an increased allocation of €5.35m and will enable us to roll out specific awareness raising and training programmes to combat domestic, sexual and gender based violence. It will also allow us to provide additional supports to NGOs and specific domestic violence intervention programmes and it will support a number of front line activities.
As part of this, an additional €1.1m will be used to put in place a legal advice and legal aid service in court for victims of sexual violence and €1 million is being provided to the Garda vote to refurbish and upgrade the Divisional Protective Service Units. This will allow us to better support and protect vulnerable victims.
The additional funding secured under Budget 2022 will allow us to continue to build on the work undertaken last year. We will continue to work to improve the system for victims, to better support them so they have confidence to reach out for help and report what has happened.
I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no central record kept for individual investigations assigned to Garda personnel in each DPSU and I have been informed that it would require a disproportionate amount of time and resources to compile this information.
1214. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the time frame for a stamp 1 visa for a person (details supplied). [63292/21]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy made an online application to renew their immigration permission on 7 December 2021. The Registration Office of my Department is currently processing applications received on 17 November 2021. This application will be processed as soon as possible.
All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1217. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the engagement she has had with the Garda Commissioner regarding the continuing issue of the cancellation of 999 calls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63331/21]
View answerAs I have stated previously, any inappropriate cancellation of 999 incidents is a very serious issue. This falls significantly below the high standards that the public expect from the Gardaí and the high standards that An Garda Síochána set for themselves. I welcome the apology that has been made by the Garda Commissioner in this regard.
As the Deputy will appreciate, It is vital that the best interests of victims and anyone whose calls were cancelled inappropriately are the priority and focus throughout this process. It is concerning that anyone who summoned the courage to seek assistance may not have received it, so I welcome the fact that the Gardaí have contacted those affected to apologise and ask if they require help from An Garda Síochána. Furthermore, the Commissioner has assured me that when someone calls 999 now, they can expect and trust that An Garda Síochána will help. That should always be the case.
In February 2020, I requested that the Policing Authority oversee the ongoing work by An Garda Síochána to review how 999 calls are handled, and the Authority has had extensive engagement with the Commissioner in this regard. In addition, the Authority appointed an independent expert, Mr Derek Penman, to conduct a preliminary examination of the adequacy of the review being undertaken by An Garda Síochána. Mr Penman has submitted an interim report with recommendations that the Garda Commissioner has accepted.
I have regular discussions with the Commissioner on a range of issues which have included this review process, and officials in my Department remain in continuing contact with the Policing Authority and An Garda Síochána in relation to this, and a wide range of issues, that fall under my Ministerial remit.
The Garda review, overseen by the Policing Authority, is ongoing. I welcome the Commissioner’s engagement with the Policing Authority on this at both their public and private meetings, and will of course carefully consider any recommendations which emerge from this process.
1218. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of female members serving in An Garda Síochána by Garda district in 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [63332/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I play no role in this independent function. The Commissioner is also independently responsible for the deployment of An Garda Síochána throughout the State.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the tables below show the number of female members in An Garda Síochána by District as of 31/12/2019, 2020 and 2021.
|
District |
31/12/2019 |
31/12/2020 |
31/12/2021 |
|
ANGLESEA STREET |
112 |
102 |
112 |
|
ARDEE |
17 |
22 |
20 |
|
ASHBOURNE |
37 |
41 |
35 |
|
ATHLONE |
21 |
30 |
24 |
|
BAILIEBORO |
21 |
23 |
20 |
|
BALBRIGGAN |
30 |
30 |
36 |
|
BALLINA |
17 |
15 |
17 |
|
BALLINASLOE |
15 |
14 |
13 |
|
BALLYMOTE |
20 |
19 |
17 |
|
BALLYMUN |
57 |
76 |
75 |
|
BALLYSHANNON |
25 |
27 |
27 |
|
BALTINGLASS |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
BANDON |
23 |
22 |
23 |
|
BANTRY |
16 |
16 |
15 |
|
BELMULLET |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
BIRR |
18 |
20 |
20 |
|
BLACKROCK |
45 |
53 |
50 |
|
BLANCHARDSTOWN |
98 |
104 |
93 |
|
BRAY |
40 |
37 |
38 |
|
BRIDEWELL |
49 |
50 |
44 |
|
BRUFF |
14 |
14 |
13 |
|
BUNCRANA |
23 |
25 |
26 |
|
CAHIR |
18 |
15 |
16 |
|
CARLOW |
35 |
39 |
34 |
|
CARRICKMACROSS |
23 |
21 |
21 |
|
CASTLEBAR |
21 |
25 |
22 |
|
CASTLEREA |
25 |
25 |
23 |
|
CAVAN |
36 |
34 |
35 |
|
CLAREMORRIS |
31 |
32 |
29 |
|
CLIFDEN |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
CLONAKILTY |
15 |
17 |
17 |
|
CLONDALKIN |
59 |
62 |
56 |
|
CLONMEL |
18 |
20 |
16 |
|
COOLOCK |
67 |
68 |
66 |
|
CRUMLIN |
32 |
28 |
25 |
|
D.M.R OFFICE |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
DMR Roads Policing |
17 |
16 |
15 |
|
DONNYBROOK |
40 |
33 |
33 |
|
DROGHEDA |
37 |
39 |
42 |
|
DUN LAOGHAIRE |
55 |
53 |
52 |
|
DUNDALK |
33 |
36 |
40 |
|
DUNGARVAN |
14 |
15 |
17 |
|
ENNIS |
70 |
72 |
71 |
|
ENNISCORTHY |
40 |
41 |
41 |
|
FERMOY |
20 |
29 |
26 |
|
FITZGIBBON STREET |
53 |
52 |
49 |
|
GALWAY |
100 |
99 |
100 |
|
GRANARD |
14 |
14 |
14 |
|
GURRANABRAHER |
16 |
15 |
13 |
|
HENRY STREET |
95 |
87 |
86 |
|
KELLS |
7 |
9 |
10 |
|
KEVIN STREET |
72 |
69 |
69 |
|
KILDARE |
39 |
43 |
43 |
|
KILKENNY |
51 |
50 |
49 |
|
KILLARNEY |
32 |
35 |
32 |
|
KILRUSH |
31 |
29 |
36 |
|
LEITRIM |
33 |
33 |
32 |
|
LEIXLIP |
35 |
35 |
37 |
|
LETTERKENNY |
52 |
54 |
51 |
|
LISTOWEL |
12 |
13 |
13 |
|
LONGFORD |
27 |
28 |
31 |
|
LOUGHREA |
21 |
20 |
21 |
|
LUCAN |
58 |
62 |
64 |
|
MACROOM |
21 |
21 |
20 |
|
MALLOW |
33 |
33 |
33 |
|
MAYFIELD |
36 |
36 |
35 |
|
MIDLETON |
26 |
30 |
27 |
|
MILFORD |
17 |
17 |
16 |
|
MONAGHAN |
25 |
29 |
25 |
|
MULLINGAR |
51 |
44 |
42 |
|
NAAS |
45 |
51 |
53 |
|
NAVAN |
28 |
32 |
32 |
|
NENAGH |
27 |
31 |
27 |
|
NEW ROSS |
20 |
22 |
21 |
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
20 |
22 |
23 |
|
PEARSE STREET |
57 |
53 |
50 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
58 |
61 |
65 |
|
RAHENY |
52 |
46 |
43 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
25 |
27 |
25 |
|
ROXBORO ROAD |
39 |
44 |
44 |
|
SALTHILL |
23 |
24 |
22 |
|
SLIGO |
38 |
43 |
41 |
|
STORE STREET |
66 |
72 |
74 |
|
TALLAGHT |
78 |
79 |
78 |
|
TERENURE |
24 |
22 |
24 |
|
THOMASTOWN |
19 |
18 |
17 |
|
THURLES |
34 |
33 |
29 |
|
TIPPERARY TOWN |
13 |
19 |
21 |
|
TOGHER |
35 |
41 |
40 |
|
TRALEE |
52 |
52 |
55 |
|
TRAMORE |
15 |
18 |
16 |
|
TRIM |
17 |
17 |
19 |
|
TUAM |
18 |
18 |
18 |
|
TULLAMORE |
30 |
26 |
23 |
|
WATERFORD |
59 |
61 |
65 |
|
WESTPORT |
9 |
10 |
9 |
|
WEXFORD |
31 |
38 |
38 |
|
WICKLOW |
29 |
32 |
35 |
|
HQ & College |
512 |
524 |
547 |
|
Total |
3862 |
3983 |
3948 |
1219. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued in County Longford in 2019, 2020 and 2021. [63333/21]
View answer1220. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued in County Westmeath in 2019, 2020 and 2021. [63334/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1219 and 1220 together.
Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made regarding the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued in Counties Longford and Westmeath in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The Courts Service has informed me that no antisocial behaviour orders were issued in those counties in any of those years.
1221. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice her views on the 2020 target for citizenship applicants being missed (details supplied); and if meeting the 2021 and 2022 targets will suffice to clear the current backlog. [63336/21]
View answerMy Department estimated that it would finalise in the region of 12,000 citizenship applications in 2020. However, the Deputy will appreciate that these figures were projected before the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and before my Department became aware of the impact the pandemic would have on its processing capabilities.
In January 2021, I introduced a temporary system to enable citizenship applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty to the state. This signed statutory declaration replaces the requirement for citizenship applicants to attend citizenship ceremonies, which have been temporarily suspended during Covid-19.
In 2021, my Department issued 11,512 citizenship decisions, of which 9,783 applicants have already been issued with their certificates of naturalisation. As the statutory declaration process is still open to applicants, new declarations are being received on a daily basis and certificates will continue to issue to all applicants who complete the process.
Both the number of decisions and naturalisation certificates issued last year is greater than in any year since 2015. This is a tremendous achievement by the staff of the Citizenship Division who have shown great commitment and dedication throughout the pandemic.
As the Deputy will be aware, many aspects of service delivery in both the public and private sectors were significantly curtailed due to the pandemic. However, at no time during the pandemic did my Department cease processing citizenship applications, despite restrictions on the number of staff allowed on-site at any one time. In addition, legacy backlogs arising from the Jones High Court judgment in 2019 compounded difficulties in service provision.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times. Based on these measures, my Department's objective is to achieve an improved timeframe of 6-9 months for decisions on a majority of applications during 2022.
1222. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice her views on the decrease in the training and development section of administration related expenditure (details supplied); and the amount that has been reconciled under other expenditure headings. [63337/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the corresponding allocation for the subhead in question in the original revised estimates for 2021 was €9.154 million, so in effect the same allocation is available in the 2022 revised estimates.
There was a technical supplementary estimate in the Justice Vote in late 2021. Through this process, surplus receipts of circa €13 million were reallocated to a number of demand-led areas including this subhead, which increased the allocation to €18.753 million. The largest element of the revised allocation (€13.5 million) for 2021 in this subhead was in respect of legal costs and settlements.
This area will continue to be kept under review in 2022 but it is important to note that the gross current expenditure budget for 2022 in respect of the Justice Vote is over 10% greater than the corresponding allocation in 2021.
1223. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice if an application to move from stamp 3 to stamp 4 by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [63397/21]
View answerAccording to the records held by my Department, the person referred to by the Deputy already holds a Stamp 4 permission, which is valid until 10 November 2022.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1224. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice when the departmental report on defamation law will be published (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63446/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to “review and reform defamation laws to ensure a balanced approach to the right to freedom of expression, the right to protection of good name and reputation, and the right of access to justice”.
The review of the Defamation Act 2009 is a legislative priority for the Government.
The objective set for the review from the outset was to ensure that our defamation law strikes the correct balance between rights which are protected both by our Constitution and by the European Convention on Human Rights – the individual’s right to their good name and privacy, and the right to freedom of expression, taking account of the vital role played by a free and independent press in our democracy.
The review has included extensive public consultation, including a stakeholder symposium held in November 2019 with extensive media participation.
I expect to bring the report to Government very shortly with a view to its publication thereafter.
A Defamation (Amendment) Bill, to advance the reforms approved by Government following the review, is already included in the Government’s current Legislation Programme. It is a priority for the Government to get the reform of defamation law right, and to bring forward the required legislation at the earliest opportunity.
I expect preparation of the General Scheme of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill to begin early this year.
1225. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on their residency application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63451/21]
View answerThis application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
In addition, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, has unfortunately resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
In 2021, 11,512 citizenship decisions were delivered, significantly exceeding the levels achieved in the last two years. Additional staff have also been assigned to the citizenship team. Based on these measures, my Department's objective is to achieve an improved timeframe of 6-9 months for decisions on a majority of applications during 2022.
1226. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that two naturalisation applications by persons (details supplied) that were submitted in September 2020 have not been concluded and no update has been received by the persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63486/21]
View answerApplications for a certificate of naturalisation were received from the persons referred to by the Deputy on 21 September 2020. These applications are currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicants meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
In addition, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, has unfortunately resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
All applications for certificate of naturalisation are generally dealt with in the order received. However, most recently my Department has targeted increased resources on finalising applications that were 24 months or more in the system.
In 2021, 11,512 citizenship decisions were delivered, significantly exceeding the levels achieved in the last two years. Additional staff have also been assigned to the citizenship team. Based on these measures, my Department's objective is to achieve an improved timeframe of 6-9 months for decisions on a majority of applications during 2022.
