Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
495. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the supports that will be available for international protection applicants already in the system given the Government's proposal to increase the citizenship residency requirement for refugees from three to five years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71221/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to clarify for the Deputy that International Protection applicants are not eligible to apply for naturalisation. Only a person who has been granted an International Protection declaration and has accrued the required residence in the State can be considered for Irish citizenship.
The Deputy should be aware that a range of supports are available to international protection applicants including accommodation, medical assistance, education and financial assistance. Similarly, any person who has been granted an International Protection declaration can avail of State supports to help then integrate into Ireland.
Last month 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 citizenship, one of which relates to the residency requirements of a person granted international protection to be granted citizenship.
Previously, individuals granted international protection status could apply for citizenship after a time period of three years. Effective from 8 December 2025 people granted international protection must generally have five years of reckonable residence in the State before they can apply for citizenship.
Applications received before 8 December 2025 will continue to be processed under the previous three year rule, while applications submitted from that date onwards will be assessed in line with the new five year residency requirement. This change brings citizenship applicants with international protection status in line with most other citizenship applicants.
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation and other resources is available on my Department’s Immigration website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/
