Joe Carey
Ceist:398. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18339/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 5 April 2022
Ceisteanna (398)
Freagraí scríofa
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Foreign Birth Registration applications are citizenship applications, and as in all jurisdictions involve a complex and lengthy process.
Due to an unprecedented surge in applications as a result of the Brexit referendum in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow over 2 years from date of receipt for processing of FBR applications at this time.
The application referenced was registered 7th May 2020, and is being stored in a secure environment.
The FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt. FBR staff continue to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Such applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly.
The Department is determined to ensure that the Passport Service is sufficiently resourced to respond to current and anticipated unprecedented demand for Passports and Foreign Birth Registrations.