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Naturalisation Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2015

Thursday, 24 September 2015

Ceisteanna (125)

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

125. Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for citizenship that are awaiting decision for between six months to 12 months; in excess of 12 months and up to 18 months; and in excess of 18 months. [32575/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department remains committed to meeting the very ambitious target in place to process 70% of all standard non-complex cases within six months of receipt of applications.

Of the 7,500 applications currently pending a decision, 850 (11%) are awaiting a decision for between 6 and 12 months, 550 (7%) are awaiting a decision for between 12 and 18 months and 900 are awaiting a decision for in excess of 18 months (12%). Around a third of the applications pending a decision are at an advanced stage of processing and those applicants will be informed of my decision in due course.

The nature of the naturalisation process is such that for a broad range of reasons some cases will take longer than others to process. It is a statutory requirement that, inter alia, applicants for naturalisation be of good character. In some instances that can be established relatively quickly and in other cases completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. As a result there will always be a proportion of cases that take longer than the norm to process.

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