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Foreign Birth Registration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Questions (378)

Dara Calleary

Question:

378. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign births' registration application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16355/22]

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Written answers

My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

The processing of Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of FBR staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the FBR Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.

With regard to the applications referenced, the applicant was advised by e-mail on 17 December 2021 that additional documents were required for both applications. Until these additional documents are submitted, the applications cannot be progressed further.

My Department is fully committed to the continued allocation of additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand and the high volume of new applications anticipated this year.

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