Niamh Smyth
Question:1207. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application with INIS (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38766/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (1207)
Written answers
There is no record of the applications referred to by the Deputy, being received by my Department. However there is a small batch of applications for that period that are yet to be registered and I am assured that these will be dealt with shortly.
If the Deputy wishes to provide the postal tracking reference number and the date of posting of the applications via my Department's Oireachtas mail facility, I will arrange for a further search of the applications on hand and provide a further response to the Deputy.
When an application for a certificate of naturalisation is received by the Citizenship Division of my Department, they are subject to an initial check and examination. On completion of the initial checks, my Department will assign an application number and issue an acknowledgment to the address given at the time of making the application.
In early 2023, a registration unit was established within Citizenship Division to ensure applications are registered and acknowledged promptly. In 2022 it took on average seven months for this part of the process to be completed. Under the new system it has been reduced to a matter of weeks but may vary based on the number of applications received.
I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it. My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of waiting times.