Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
824. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department can investigate the reason a citizenship application (details supplied) has been delayed for over 28 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30111/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra825. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way an applicant’s family received their citizenship years in advance to their own (details supplied); the specific reason holding up their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30112/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 824 and 825 together.
The naturalisation application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Each application is examined individually and assessed on their own merits. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service.
For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year.
Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to improve the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: [https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/]
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.
