Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2022
320. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1292 of 26 April 2022, if her Department’s review of the new scorecard system for persons who have recently turned 18 years of age has been finalised; when the updated scorecards and guidelines will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27015/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the Citizenship Division of my Department intends to issue the updated scorecard on or before 1 July 2022.
Since the introduction of the scorecard there has been a marked increase in new citizenship applications, with more than 5,000 new applications received in the first four months of this year. This equates to an almost 40% increase in new applications year-on-year.
The record number of people applying for citizenship would seem to demonstrate the positive impact of the scorecard. I welcome this development, and the further refinement of the scorecard over the coming weeks will bring added clarity to the process.
