Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1688. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the categories of welfare payments that will render an applicant ineligible for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75157/25]
View answer1690. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to place the proposed restrictions on naturalisations on a statutory footing; the timeline for the introduction for such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75159/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1688 and 1690 together.
Migrants play an essential and positive role in contributing to Irish society and are vital to addressing labour shortages in many sectors of the economy. For those migrants who establish themselves here, naturalisation provides a very effective means to enhance their integration and participation in Irish society.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Last November I secured Government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland’s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States.
As part of this I intend to make a number of changes to the rules on the granting of Irish citizenship. One proposed change relates to the introduction of a new statutory naturalisation condition requiring applicants to be self-sufficient. Being self-sufficient will mean that the applicant should not be indebted to the State or be in receipt of certain social protection payments during a defined period prior to submitting an application.
It is not the intention to prevent anybody who has ever received a welfare payment from applying for citizenship. However, it is reasonable to expect that a person seeking to become an Irish citizen has contributed to the State, including through participation in employment where possible. The exact types of social welfare payments that may be taken into account for this purpose will be examined by my Department in consultation with the Department of Social Protection.
The outlined conditions relating to self-sufficiency will require legislative change to the 1956 Act and consideration of the proposed changes will take place through the regular parliamentary process.
