Noel Rock
Ceist:177. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the administration costs for an EU citizen to become an Irish citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17243/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 19 April 2018
Ceisteanna (177)
Freagraí scríofa
The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee, stipulated at €175, is payable on application for a certificate of naturalisation and a certification fee is payable on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation. 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 the certification fee is nil.
There is no provision in the Regulations for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act are kept under on-going review by my Department; however, there are no plans to amend the fees.
The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation. The Deputy will be aware that formal citizenship ceremonies have been introduced at no extra cost to applicants. These have been universally well received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the granting of Irish citizenship.
All naturalisation applications - whether from EU citizens or non-EU citizens - are processed entirely in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act and having regard to the particular merits of the application. In view of the many variables involved in processing applications it is not possible to isolate the administrative costs associated with a specific category of naturalisation applicants.