Matt Carthy
Ceist:
524. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for naturalisation based on Irish association received in the years 2019 to date; the average processing time, by year, in tabular form; the current number of applications on hand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24718/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
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. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted. Section 16 of the Act gives the Minister discretion to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations (related through blood, affinity or adoption to a person who is or is entitled to be an Irish citizen).
Any application under Section 16 that relies on Irish associations and affinity should be supported by substantive documentation that in the Minister’s view renders the application exceptional and one where the normal pathways to citizenship provided for under the legislation are not appropriate.
The Deputy should be aware that there is no automatic right or entitlement to have any of the statutory conditions waived, even where the applicant comes within the certain circumstances defined.
The information requested regarding applications for naturalisation based on Irish association is not currently available and I will write to the Deputy when it is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 524 of 11 June 2024 where you asked: “….. the number of applications for naturalisation based on Irish association received in the years 2019 to date; the average processing time, by year, in tabular form; the current number of applications on hand; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
As you will recall, the information you requested was not available at the time of asking.
I wish to advise the Deputy that while the information sought is not recorded in the manner requested, I can confirm that Citizenship Division currently has approximately 1,200 Irish Association Files on hand. The average processing time for files of this type is in excess of 30 months.
As the Deputy maybe aware, any application under Section 16 that relies on Irish associations and affinity should be supported by substantive documentation that renders the application exceptional and one where the normal pathways to citizenship provided for under the legislation are not appropriate.
To ensure more efficient processing of this type of file, and in the interests of clarity and transparency, my officials are developing a set of guidelines which can be consulted by those making applications under Section 16, Irish Associations.
The creation of these guidelines is intended to provide greater clarity to applicants regarding the rationale applied when considering such applications and in making a decision. It is intended to publish these guidelines on the Immigration Service Delivery website once completed. Work on the guidelines is in its final stage and it is anticipated they will be published in the coming months.
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.
