Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
258. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of citizenship applications received; the number of citizenship applications processed; the number of citizenship applications still processing; the average processing time for citizenship applications, broken down by year; from 2018 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70502/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
My Department has taken a significant number of steps to increase the numbers of decisions being made. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting.
This digitisation has facilitated a record number of citizenship decisions made last year. In just over two years, my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year, to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023, more than 31,000 decisions in 2024.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately some of these, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and this is largely outside of the control of my Department.
The information requested by the Deputy on the number of citizenship applications received, the number still in progress, and the median processing time is outlined in the below table.
|
Year |
Total Applications Received |
Of which are in progress |
Median Processing time in months |
|
2018 |
12,867 |
160 |
8 |
|
2019 |
12,308 |
213 |
10 |
|
2020 |
10,807 |
290 |
12 |
|
2021 |
11,975 |
529 |
24 |
|
2022 |
17,204 |
2,220 |
18 |
|
2023 |
22,690 |
2,874 |
15 |
|
2024 |
27,032 |
7,415 |
8 |
|
2025 up to end of November |
38,546 |
35,686 |
**Not available |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing
**The median processing time refers to cases in which decisions have been made and is calculated at the end of each year, therefore, the 2025 figure is not currently available.
There is a range of reasons why naturalisation applications may be “in progress” for lengthy periods.
I understand that many of the oldest files in the system have been put on hold at the request of the applicant. Periodic contact is maintained with the applicant and every effort is made to facilitate the applicant in the context of changing and sometimes challenging personal circumstances. While the onus remains with the applicant to complete the process, my Department maintains ongoing contact with the applicants.
It is important to note that increased processing times in 2021, 2022 and 2023 were largely due to the legacy of restrictions imposed on staff attendance in the office during the pandemic along with an increase in applications.
