Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004
499 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for a certificate of naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be expedited, as it has been a long time in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8829/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for certificates of naturalisation were received from the person referred to and her husband in December of 1994. Certain information required in order to process the applications was sought on numerous occasions but was not supplied. My officials explained to the applicants that it would not be possible to finalise the applications without this information. The files were closed in 1997.
If the information that was sought at that time is now available, the applicants can submit new applications along with the necessary support documentation and these will then be considered.
500 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average delay in dealing with applications for naturalisation; the reasons for such delays; and the steps that are being taken to deal with such applications efficiently and effectively. [8830/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out the number of applications for naturalisation which were received and the number of certificates issued in the period 2000 to date:
|
Year |
Applications Received |
Percentage Increase on previous year for new applications. |
Certificates Issued |
|
% |
|||
|
2000 |
1,004 |
35 |
125 |
|
2001 |
1,431 |
42 |
1,012 |
|
2002 |
3,574 |
250 |
1,332 |
|
2003 |
3,580 |
0 |
1,664 |
|
2004 to end February |
660 |
N/A |
317 |
Despite the increase in the number of applications over the last four years the average processing time has been reduced from two and a half years to between 15 and 18 months. It should be borne in mind that the granting of Irish citizenship is an honour and that applications must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is given only to persons who are suitably qualified. There is, therefore, a limit to the reduction in the processing time that is possible without affecting the integrity of the citizenship process.
