Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
447. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason an application was rejected (details supplied) given that all documentation was lodged for the application and no communication was received by the applicant from his Department advising that there was outstanding documentation required which in turn lead to the application being refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2915/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that in cases where incomplete naturalisation applications are received, the application is returned to the applicant with a request to provide the missing documentation within 28 days. A reminder is issued after 18 days if the required documentation has still not been provided.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the naturalisation application referred to was returned to the person concerned on 19 May 2025 as it was incomplete, and a request for further documentation issued from my Department.
The person cited re-submitted the application but did not supply all of the requested documentation, therefore the application was deemed ineligible and subsequently closed. A different case worker reviewed the application on re-submission on 22 September.
It is open to the person cited to make a new application at any time. There is no time limit within which they can make a new application, nor is there any maximum limit on the number of applications.
To maintain the integrity of the file on record, Citizenship Division do not return documentation submitted. However, should applicants wish to lodge a new application, they may request all relevant documents previously submitted to be associated with the new application.
My Department has produced a comprehensive guidance document for all potential applicants, outlining all the documents required for an application. This document is published on my Department's Immigration website and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Citizenship-Guidance-Document-April-2024.pdf
Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation and other resources is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
