Further processing of applications for naturalisation currently commences after 18 months on average. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 23 months. This is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications received in the last number of years. In 1999 there were 739 applications whereas in 2008, the number of such applications was 10,885. An element of cases are now being dealt with in less than that time scale and more complicated cases can at times take more than the current average. In many cases outside the average timescale, delays can be due to the non-return of important information by the applicant themselves or can be due to outside agencies with which we liaise being required to conduct more intensive investigations to resolve the merits of an application.
In a very small number of cases this process can take significantly longer than the average timeframe.
The Deputy will appreciate that a certificate of naturalisation is an exceptional and important document that facilitates a non-national becoming a citizen of Ireland. Therefore, there is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the status of Citizenship is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria. The procedures involved have been developed and refined over a number of years and I am satisfied that they are necessary to maintain the integrity of the naturalisation process.