Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:889. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the projected cost of reducing citizenship fees to €200, and waiving it for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37036/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (889)
Written answers
The State has not increased the fees for naturalisation applications since 2011.
The application fee is €175. A certification fee of €950 is then required following a positive decision being reached on the naturalisation application.
The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee.
Based on the number of citizenship certificates issued in 2022, it is estimated that the reduction of the overall fee to €200 and waiving of fees for minors would lead to a reduction of €10.9m or 83% of revenues.
All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no current plans to amend the fees.
Question No. 890 answered with Question No. 828.