Skip to main content
Normal View

Citizenship Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (1292)

Michael Lowry

Question:

1292. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 1 March 2022, if her Departments review of the new scorecard system for persons who have recently turned 18 is finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20365/22]

View answer

Written answers

I can confirm to the Deputy that the review is due to be finalised shortly and the updated scorecards are expected to issue in the coming weeks. The slight delay in introducing the updated scorecards partly reflects my Department's desire to take on board additional stakeholder feedback that has been received in recent weeks.

The scorecard was introduced to help applicants to complete their applications with greater certainty than before. Since the go-live of the scorecards, my officials inform me that there has not been any reduction in the number of applications being received when compared to previous years, however, a preliminary review of applications received in recent weeks indicates that the quality of the applications has markedly improved.

This is a welcome development and builds on other innovative measures recently introduced in the citizenship application process, including the deployment of “Tara” the e-chat bot, e-payments, e-tax clearance and Gardaí e-vetting, and the removal of the requirement to provide the original passport when making an application, all of which have positively enhanced the applicant's experience.

Notwithstanding this, I am aware that for some applicants the scorecard may not have adequately addressed their individual circumstances.  In such cases, the Citizenship Division of my Department may accept a sworn affidavit, which could make up the deficit in points to enable the applicant to meet the necessary threshold. The affidavit will not be accepted in lieu of all appropriate proofs, only to make up the shortfall to enable the score of 150 points to be reached.

A previous examination by my Department of the citizenship application process indicated that incorrectly submitted applications were diverting considerable resources from general processing, resulting in the slowing down of all applications and adversely impacting on customer service. Considerable effort has therefore gone into clarifying the application guidelines published on my Department's immigration website (www.irishimmigration.ie) and and on making the application process itself more customer friendly, including the introduction of the new scorecard structure for proof of identity and residence.

Top
Share