Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
265. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to address ongoing delays in the processing of immigration and residency applications; and the current processing times. [70611/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Deputy has clarified that her question relates applications for citizenship, first time registrations and renewal applications. I want to assure anyone who has an application submitted that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
In relation to citizenship, despite the substantial increase in applications being received in recent years, processing times have significantly reduced.
My Department has taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. 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. The median processing time for citizenship applications in 2024 was 8 months. Statistics in relation to processing times 2025 will be available early in the new year.
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.
In relation to first-time registrations and renewals of permissions, the Registration Office of my Department is currently experiencing an exceptionally high demand for first time registration appointments and are aware that appointment availability is severely limited.
I understand that the extended wait times to secure an appointment can be frustrating for applicants. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is doing everything possible to facilitate as many customers as possible.
New appointment slots are being released on a rolling 90-day basis, with additional slots being made available where capacity is identified and as any cancellations/reschedules are made. The Registration Office has also extended opening hours and are now open seven days a week to meet this demand. I expect that further measures to increase the availability of appointments will be put in place in the coming weeks.
Applicants are advised to monitor the dedicated booking appointment system via the Customer Service Portal at https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/, for any available appointments that may come up due to cancellations.
If customers have successfully booked an appointment, but wish to amend the date, they can do so via the reschedule option to any other available date. Please be aware that given the current exceptional demand it is not possible to accommodate requests for an earlier appointment.
I can also advise the Deputy that my Department has put in place an interim solution for people awaiting a renewal of their immigration permission who wish to travel over the Christmas period. More information is available at www.irishimmigration.ie/isd-announces-initiative-to-facilitate-customers-travelling-at-christmas-2/
