Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2022
265. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who are due to receive Irish citizenship at ceremonies before the end of 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57172/22]
View answerI am pleased to confirm that my Department intends to host the next in-person citizenship ceremonies on the 5th and 6th of December 2022 in the Killarney Convention Centre (Gleneagle Hotel).
It is expected that almost 3250 persons will be invited and it is intended that at least 4 ceremonies will be held over the 2 days.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and all applications are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Act. Each application is assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the state prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In both cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 6 weeks allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business family or holiday purposes.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/ .
