Written Answers Nos. 873-892
873. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders signed in each year from 2020 to 2025; the number of confirmed departures recorded by the Garda National Immigration Bureau in respect of persons subject to those orders in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64816/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra875. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has set any target or performance indicator for the proportion of signed deportation orders that are enforced; if not, whether his Department will consider setting one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64811/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 873 and 875 together.
It is a central priority for me that Ireland's immigration system is robust and rules-based. Effective enforcement of our immigration laws, including the implementation of deportation orders, is essential to maintaining confidence in the integrity of the system and ensuring that our legislation is applied consistently.
Deportations are often costly and complex to carry out. Consequently, voluntary return is the preferred option wherever possible. My Department operates a voluntary return programme to assist individuals who wish to leave the State before a deportation order is issued. As access to this programme is only available prior to the making of a deportation order, I have increased the resources available to support those who choose to return voluntarily at an earlier stage.
Where a person does not leave the State following the issuance of a deportation order, enforcement action may be required. In recent years, my Department has taken significant steps to strengthen immigration enforcement and increase the number of removals carried out.
The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) represented an increase of 180% compared with 2023 (857). In 2025, a total of 4,700 deportation orders were signed, a further increase of 96% on the 2024 figure. As of 11 September 2026, 3,190 deportation orders had been signed.
Table 1: Deportation Orders Signed, 2020-2026
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (11/09/26) |
|
Deportation orders signed |
598 |
33 |
549 |
857 |
2,403 |
4,700 |
3,190 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022.
In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality.
Five charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 178 people from the State, including 67 EU citizens who were removed on grounds of criminality.
The table below details the number of deportations, removals and voluntary returns from 2020 to 11 September 2026.
Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 2026
|
Year |
Enforced Deportations |
Otherwise Confirmed Deportations (1) |
Total Deportations |
Other Removals (2) |
Voluntary Returns |
Total Removed |
|
2020 |
42 |
97 |
139 |
40 |
201 |
380 |
|
2021 |
5 |
33 |
38 |
46 |
132 |
216 |
|
2022 |
24 |
93 |
117 |
39 |
91 |
247 |
|
2023 |
51 |
28 |
79 |
24 |
215 |
318 |
|
2024 |
134 |
28 |
162 |
26 |
934 |
1,122 |
|
2025 |
367 |
67 |
434 |
61 |
1,616 |
2,111 |
|
2026 (11/09/26) |
282 |
67 |
349 |
115 |
1,160 |
1,624 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* During the COVID-19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022.
* A deportation effected in a particular year may relate to a Deportation Order signed in a previous year.
1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted.
2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.
The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to facilitate the removal of individuals who are subject to deportation orders. Where a person does not leave the State voluntarily, they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions attached to their deportation order.
While my Department does not operate specific targets or performance indicators regarding the proportion of deportation orders that are ultimately enforced, I can advise the Deputy that the number of enforced deportations has increased by 20% compared with the same period in 2025, rising from 235 to 282. In addition, the number of EU removals carried out on grounds of criminality has increased by 511%, rising from 18 to 110 over the same period.
It is also the case that a significant number of persons who are subject to deportation orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities. As there are no routine exit checks at Ireland's borders, it is not possible to determine definitively the number of individuals who have complied with a deportation order. However, I am informed that the GNIB has reviewed a substantial sample of such cases, and its inquiries indicate that a very significant proportion of these individuals have departed the State.
874. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 2228 of 28 July 2026, the reason the gap is not recorded on the Corporate Risk Register, given that enforcement of the immigration system is described as a central priority of the Government (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64815/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised in Parliamentary Question No. 2228 of 28 July 2026 whilst there are no targets for the number of enforced deportations, my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals.
The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. 2,650 deportation orders have been signed up to 24 July 2026.
In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 24 July 2026, 1,294 people have departed the State through these pathways.
My Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order.
876. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 403 and 404 of 16 July 2026, the details of which the ongoing review comprises in relation to the interaction between the confidentiality provisions and public confidence in the reporting of criminal proceedings, including whether any paper, submission or assessment has been prepared on that specific question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64809/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra877. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 403 and 404 of 16 July 2026, whether consideration has been given, at either official or ministerial level, to introducing an amendment to section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015 or section 278 of the International Protection Act 2026; to provide for an exception to the prohibition on identifying an applicant once that person has been charged with a serious indictable offence; the outcome of any such consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64808/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 876 and 877 together.
It is a central priority of this Government that our immigration laws are robust and effectively enforced. Since taking office, I have worked to ensure integrity, efficiency and public confidence in our migration system.
Nothing in the international protection legislation prevents An Garda Síochána from communicating information in the course of an investigation, including personal details where necessary, provided it has due regard to the requirement not to publish information likely to lead members of the public to identify a person as an international protection applicant without that person's consent.
The confidentiality principle is a fundamental principle of asylum law and is reflected in both the Asylum Procedures Regulation and domestic legislation, namely the International Protection Act 2015, which applies to applications made before 12 June 2026, and the International Protection Act 2026, which applies to applications made on or after that date.
An asylum-seeker's claim is based on a fear of persecution by the authorities in their home country. As a result, family members or friends who remain in that country may be placed at risk if the applicant's personal information is not kept confidential.
Therefore, my officials and I are legally obliged to ensure that the identity of any person who has applied for international protection is kept confidential. For applicants whose applications were made prior to 12 June 2026, section 26(1) of the 2015 Act provides that:
"the Minister and the Tribunal and their respective officers shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential".
As regards applications made after 12 June 2026, Article 7 of the Asylum Procedures Regulation provides that:
"In line with this, section 278(1) of the International Protection Act 2026 (in similar terms to section 26 of the 2015 Act) provides that:
A person shall not publish or broadcast, or cause to be published or broadcast, information likely to lead members of the public to identify that a person is an applicant without the consent of that person".
A person who contravenes this provision commits an offence.
The confidentiality requirements contained in both Acts apply to all international protection applicants, including those who have been charged with or convicted of criminal offences. This does not prevent media reporting of such cases; rather, they must be reported in a manner that does not identify the individual as an applicant for international protection. An applicant may, however, consent to being identified.
When processing international protection applications, any criminal convictions are taken into account. As part of this process, character and conduct checks are carried out before an applicant may be granted permission to remain in the State.
I have asked my officials to examine this matter with a view to determining whether these provisions can be clarified or amended.
878. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 315 of 15 July 2026, whether the review is a systematic review of all naturalised citizens convicted of such offences or a case by case process (details supplied); the number of such cases reviewed since 7 April 2025; the number referred for citizenship revocation proceedings in that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64818/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department actively reviews cases relating to terrorism, fraud and organised crime with a view to assessing whether citizenship revocation proceedings may be appropriate.
The grounds for the revocation of citizenship are set out in section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
For security reasons and to protect the integrity of the immigration system, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the operational processes used to identify or assess cases for potential citizenship revocation, nor to provide information in relation to individual reviews or assessments that may be undertaken by my Department.
879. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the details of any contracts in place between his Department and agencies under his remit with a company (details supplied) known to have provided material support to the IDF in Gaza, which the Government considers to be guilty of genocide, since 2023. [64856/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
880. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of incidents relating to anti-social behaviour, public order offences and fireworks reported in Celbridge in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026. [64885/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration does not collate or publish crime statistics. That responsibility rests with the Central Statistics Office (CSO), established under the Statistics Act 1993. Under Section 13 of the Statistics Act 1993, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is fully independent in its role of issuing statistics.
All of the CSO's recorded crime statistics are available at: https://data.cso.ie/product/RC
The report titled CJA11: Recorded Crime Incidents provides recorded crime information broken down to Garda station level and by type of offence. This is available from the link: []https://data.cso.ie/table/CJA11
Furthermore, the CSO publishes quarterly bulletins on recorded crime and these are also available from the CSO website at: https://www.cso.ie/en/statistics/crimeandjustice/
881. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the application for student visas of students from Gaza; the number of applications that have been approved; and the stage at which all applications are at. [64843/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra908. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will re-examine the decision to refuse 31 out of 59 Palestinian students who applied for study visas despite having secured full scholarships at Irish universities; if he accepts that Israel's genocidal rampage in Gaza and widespread destruction of infrastructure, educational institutions and homes makes it almost impossible for these students to obtain some of the original documentary evidence requested; and if he will take these difficulties into account when examining their applications. [65003/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 881 and 908 together.
Any individual who has been refused a study visa may appeal that decision. Details of the appeals process, including how an appeal may be submitted, are provided to applicants in their refusal letter.
Visa appeals are considered by a Visa Appeals Officer on the basis of all information and documentation submitted in support of the appeal. Each appeal is assessed on its individual merits and having regard to the particular circumstances of the case.
I can advise the Deputy that visa appeals are processed in a manner that is fair to all applicants. Appeals are being progressed as quickly as possible and decisions will issue as soon as full consideration has been given to each case.
The table below details study visa applications and decisions for Palestinian nationals in 2026, up to 31 August.
Table 1. Study visas and decisions for Palestinian nationals in 2026 (up to 31 August)
|
Short Stay Study (C) Applications Received |
6 |
|
Long Stay (D) Study Applications Received |
134 |
|
Short Stay (C) Applications Granted |
5 |
|
Long Stay (D) Applications Granted |
41 |
|
Short Stay (C) Applications Refused |
<5 |
|
Long Stay (D) Applications Refused |
108 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.
* It is the policy of my Department not to release numbers where there are less than 5 in respect of any nationality, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.
882. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the status of a join family visa (details supplied). [64868/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the Join Family visa application referred to was created on 6 January 2026. Supporting documentation was received in the Abu Dhabi Visa Office on 3 February 2026 where it awaits examination and processing.
My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service and some applications can take longer than others. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing; it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-offices/
I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland, and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: http://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.
883. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of citizenship revocation cases initiated, completed, discontinued and currently pending in each year from 2016 to date; the grounds relied upon in each case, categorised by grounds for revocation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65007/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra884. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of naturalised Irish citizens who have received a custodial sentence of five years or more in each year since 2016; the number in respect of whom citizenship revocation was considered; the number in respect of whom revocation proceedings were commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65005/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra885. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of cases identified since 2016 in which a person who had acquired Irish citizenship was subsequently found to have provided false, misleading or fraudulent information in an immigration, international protection, residence or citizenship application; the number in which revocation proceedings followed; and the outcome of those proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65008/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra898. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons granted citizenship on the basis of marriage or civil partnership with an Irish citizen in each year since 2015 and to date in 2026; the number of applications refused because the marriage or partnership was deemed not genuine or enduring; the number subsequently identified as marriages of convenience; the number of citizenship revocation proceedings arising from such cases, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65016/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra907. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of naturalised Irish citizens subsequently convicted of an indictable offence in Ireland in each of the past ten years, by offence category by year where possible, in which citizenship was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65004/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra963. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 63286/26 of 7 September 2026, the number of cases since 7 April 2025, in which the revocation of a naturalised citizen's citizenship has been considered; the number in which the person had a criminal conviction; the number involving national security concerns; the number in which a notice of intention to revoke was issued; the number in which a revocation decision was overturned by a committee of inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65832/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra964. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 63282/26, the number of persons who acquired Irish citizenship by naturalisation and who have subsequently been convicted of serious criminal offences, including offences involving firearms, terrorism, terrorism-related activity or organised crime, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2026; and, if these data are not held, the reason they are not held. [65831/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 883, 884, 885, 898, 907, 963 and 964 together.
The grounds for the revocation of citizenship are as set out in section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended).
Changes to this process were made by the Court, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024; these changes were required to address issues identified in a Supreme Court judgment that had found the then revocation process to be unconstitutional. Amendments to the process of revocation of citizenship came into effect from 7 April 2025 and the revised provisions can be found at http://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1956/act/26/section/19/revised/en/html
Under the new procedure, where the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration decides to revoke citizenship, they may do so under the five grounds set out in the 1956 Act. A notification of this intention is issued to the individual, who will be provided with the opportunity to make representations, and has 28 days to do so, before a decision is made to revoke their certificate of naturalisation.
Following receipt of those representations, or on expiry of the 28 days, if it is decided to proceed to revoke the certificate of naturalisation, then the individual has 14 days in which to request a Committee of Inquiry. Upon receipt of this request, I will appoint a Committee of Inquiry, which will be composed of a chairperson who will be a retired Judge of the Circuit Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, or the Supreme Court, and two ordinary members with appropriate experience and qualifications. The Committee of Inquiry will be independent in its function of inquiry into the Minister's decision and can either affirm the decision or set it aside.
In the last 10 years, 8 people have had their citizenship revoked, including two revocations since 7 April 2025.
The Deputy should note that a person can have their citizenship revoked on more than one ground under the Act.
Of the eight revocations, seven were made under section 19(1)(a) on the grounds that the issue of the certificate was procured by fraud, misrepresentation, whether innocent or fraudulent, or the concealment of material facts or circumstances.
One revocation was made under two grounds;
• section 19(1)(b) on the grounds that the person to whom it was granted had, by an overt act, shown themselves to have failed in their duty of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.
• and/or section 19(1)(c) that (except in the case of a certificate of naturalisation which is issued to a person of Irish descent or associations) the person to whom it is granted has been ordinarily F59[resident outside the State or, in the case of an application for a certificate of naturalisation granted under section 15A, resident outside the island of Ireland] (otherwise than in the public service) for a continuous period of seven years and without reasonable excuse has not during that period registered annually in the prescribed manner his name and a declaration of his intention to retain Irish citizenship with an Irish diplomatic mission or consular office or with the Minister.
My Department actively reviews cases relating to terrorism, fraud, organised and serious crime with a view to assessing whether citizenship revocation proceedings are appropriate.
My Department does not maintain records in a format that would allow the information sought by the Deputy regarding custodial sentences, subsequent criminal convictions of naturalised citizens, or the specific circumstances in which citizenship revocation was considered but not pursued, to be readily extracted.
Similarly, my Department does not maintain records categorised in the manner requested by the Deputy in relation to marriages or civil partnerships with Irish citizens, marriages of convenience, or cases where citizenship applicants were subsequently found to have provided false, misleading or fraudulent information in immigration, residence, international protection or citizenship processes. Accordingly, the detailed information sought is not available.
886. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of citizenship applications refused on good-character grounds in each year from 2016 to date; the number therein arising from criminal convictions, pending criminal proceedings, Garda investigations, tax matters, immigration offences, fraud, national-security concerns or other grounds, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65009/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra909. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons granted Irish citizenship by naturalisation in each of the years 2016 to 2025 and to date in 2026 who had disclosed a criminal conviction in Ireland or another jurisdiction; the number by category of offence and sentence imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65002/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 886 and 909 together.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
All applicants are required to satisfy the good character criterion under Section 15 of the Act. As part of the naturalisation application, an applicant is required to detail all offences, regardless of where an incident occurred, or how long ago, and including “spent” convictions. The Act does not provide that having a criminal conviction, of itself, precludes a person from being granted citizenship.
My Department does not collate statistics on the number of persons granted naturalisation who disclosed a criminal conviction, nor does it record such cases by offence type or sentence imposed. Accordingly, the information sought by the Deputy is not available.
Similarly, my Department does not maintain records of naturalisation refusals categorised by the specific good character considerations referred to by the Deputy, including criminal convictions, pending criminal proceedings, Garda investigations, tax matters, immigration offences, fraud or national security concerns. Accordingly, the detailed breakdown requested is not available.
All adult applicants must undertake the Gardaí e-vetting process or other police vetting processes as deemed necessary. The details of offences listed in the e-vetting report(s) will be cross referenced with the information provided by the applicant during the initial application submission.
As part of the good character assessment, An Garda Síochána is requested to make enquiries into the applicant’s background; the detail and extent of which is a matter for An Garda Síochána. For sound security and operational reasons, it is not the practice to comment on the enquiries that may be conducted.
Should any relevant information be reported to my Department it will be associated to that person's naturalisation application.
Last week, Minister O'Callaghan and I secured Government approval for the priority drafting of legislation to strengthen Ireland's naturalisation framework. The proposed draft legislation is intended to simultaneously strengthen the integrity of the naturalisation system and align Ireland more closely with processes in several other EU Member States.
887. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether Revenue Commissioners’ tax-compliance information is currently sought or considered when determining whether an applicant for naturalisation satisfies the good-character requirement; the number of applications refused since 2016 arising wholly or partly from tax non-compliance; whether he intends that tax compliance will form part of the revised statutory good-character test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65010/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
All applicants are required to satisfy the good character criterion under Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended. In evaluating whether an applicant satisfies this condition, this Department takes into account a wide range of factors including any criminal offences and the applicant’s immigration history. Officials undertake robust and comprehensive national and international checks on applications, including the Garda e-vetting process and any other vetting processes deemed necessary. A conviction for tax related matters will be captured in an eVetting return.
Should any relevant information be reported to my Department it will be associated to that person's naturalisation application.
888. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons granted citizenship in each of the past five years who, at the date of application, had between five and six, six and seven, seven and eight, and more than eight years of reckonable residence, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65011/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra890. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department currently collects any information regarding the proficiency in English or Irish of persons granted citizenship; if so, the number granted citizenship in each of the past five years who were assessed as having limited or no proficiency in either language; and if not, the reason such information is not collected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65012/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 888 and 890 together.
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Applicants are required to have five years' reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In all cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 70 days allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business family or holiday purposes.
My Department does not collate statistics on the number of applicants who had reckonable residence in excess of the statutory minimum at the time they applied for naturalisation. Accordingly, the information sought by the Deputy is not available.
Proficiency in either English or Irish does not form part of the current statutory criteria for naturalisation. Accordingly, my Department does not collect or record information on applicants' proficiency in either language for naturalisation purposes.
Last November, the Government approved a package of policy and legislative reforms to strengthen Ireland’s migration and asylum system, ensuring it is rules-based, efficient and more closely aligned with those of other EU Member States. As part of this work, Minister O'Callaghan and I secured Government approval last week for the priority drafting of legislation to strengthen Ireland's naturalisation framework.
889. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the level of English or Irish proficiency that he proposes applicants for citizenship will be required to demonstrate; whether this will correspond with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages; the exemptions that are being considered on age, disability or other grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65013/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra894. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the provisions that will be made for individuals who are non-verbal or have other disabilities which may limit them in their ability to complete the new proposed language tests as part of the revised citizenship process; and if he will make a statement on the matter [65044/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra895. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to consider legislating for cases in which a person who has been resident in the State for higher education that these years residing in the State are counted when applying for citizenship. [65032/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra897. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026, a person who has started the residency needed for citizenship which currently stands at five years, will have to wait for the new proposed time of eight years. [65030/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra899. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the matters proposed to be covered by a citizenship civic-knowledge test; if applicants will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the Constitution, democratic institutions, Irish history, rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the values of the State; the proposed pass standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65015/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra905. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will confirm that the proposed Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026 regarding proposed conditions as to reckonable residence, language testing, and economic self-sufficiency will apply solely to applications for a certificate of naturalisation for resident non-nationals, and will not apply to applications of citizenship by descent. [65082/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra906. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will confirm that the proposed Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026 will make no change to the entitlement to Irish citizenship by descent under section 7 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, or to the entitlement of a person born outside the island of Ireland whose grandparent was born on the island of Ireland to become an Irish citizen on entry in the Foreign Births Register pursuant to section 7(3) and section 27 of that Act. [65080/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra912. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if in light of the Government's proposed changes to the residency requirements for naturalisation, transitional arrangements will be put in place for persons who are already resident in Ireland and who have accumulated four years or more of reckonable residence under the existing five year citizenship eligibility framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65105/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra913. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the proposed Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026 will make no change to the entitlement to Irish citizenship by descent (details supplied); how the proposals have regard to the recognition in Article 2 of the Constitution of the special affinity of the Irish nation with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65136/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra914. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will include transitional protections and measures in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Amendment Bill 2026 specifically in relation to the issue of spousal visas for the naturalisations of spouses of Irish citizenships and the proposal to increase the residency requirement from three to five years [65131/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra916. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there will be transitional arrangements for persons who are already resident in Ireland, in regards to the Government's proposed changes to the naturalisation process, who have accumulated four years of reckonable residence under the existing rules. [65163/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra920. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the transitional arrangements that will be in place for workers already resident in Ireland who are concerned by plans to increase residency requirements to eight years in order to obtain citizenship; if the new residency rules will apply retrospectively to those already present in the State on appropriate visas or only to those who are arrive in Ireland after its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter [65186/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra922. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department calculated the additional immigration-registration fees that will be paid by lawful residents as a direct result of extending the citizenship residence requirement from five to eight years; and his plans to reduce or waive those fees. [65188/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra924. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which the proposed changes to naturalisation will affect spouses, workers and so on, who are already living in Ireland for some years. [65295/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra927. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider introducing legislative amendments to the upcoming Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 to provide a pathway to citizenship for the non-EEA spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens residing abroad outside the jurisdiction, in cases where the marriage or partnership has been of long duration exceeding five or ten years. [65201/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra938. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026 has been reconciled with enterprise and IDA policy, which depends on Ireland being credible when it competes internationally for skilled workers. [65473/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra939. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the evidence base for increasing reckonable residence from five years to eight years under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026. [65472/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra941. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which the proposed changes to naturalisation requirements for financial self-sufficiency will apply to children and young adults who were not born in Ireland but who have lived in the State for the majority or entirety of their childhood; how the proposed financial self-sufficiency requirement will be applied to young people who are still in full-time secondary or third-level education and are financially dependent on their parents; and whether parental or household income will be taken into account when assessing their financial self-sufficiency. [65488/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra942. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026 will include a fair transitional provision protecting people who were already legally resident in Ireland and accumulating reckonable residence before this proposal was announced. [65471/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra943. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding any flexibility that will be applied for people that are in the process of applying for citizenship prior to the imminent changes in citizenship requirements (details supplied). [65468/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra944. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of those already in Ireland and in the process of applying for citizenship in relation to the imminent changes in citizenship requirements (details supplied). [65467/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra948. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will clarify the proposed changes to citizenship and naturalisation requirements; if they will apply retrospectively to individuals and families already resident in the State and progressing through the naturalisation process; if spouses of Irish citizens will be affected; the transitional arrangements that will be put in place for applicants who made decisions to return to and reside in Ireland based on the rules in force at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65535/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra958. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there is consideration being given to decreasing the proposed naturalisation residency requirement increases for serving Defence Force members. [65606/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra961. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline precisely which categories of welfare payments are planned to render an applicant ineligible for naturalisation under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026; if there are specific time limits with regard to claiming particular welfare payments that will result in ineligibility; and clarify that being in receipt of children's allowance, maternity benefit, paternity benefit, parent's benefit or similar will not make a person ineligible for naturalistion. [65743/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra968. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any proposed changes to the timeline or eligibility requirements for Irish citizenship will apply to people who are resident in the State under a critical skills employment permit; and if individuals who have moved to Ireland on the basis of a critical skills employment permit and have established their careers and lives in the State will be protected from any retrospective changes to the citizenship pathway. [65947/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra969. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to ensure that any new rules introduced by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026 will not apply to existing applicants; and that they will continue to be processed according to the rules which existed when they applied. [66004/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra970. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in the context of the recent Irish Nationality Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026, whether the Bill will include transitional provisions for people already lawfully resident; the number of people currently working towards naturalisation would be affected by the change; the consultation with employers, the IDA and the Department of Enterprise Tourism and Employment before creating an eight year pathway; the rationale for the extension of the residency provision from the current five to eight years; and the way in which this will give certainty to prospective Irish citizens. [66085/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra971. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the impact of changes to citizenship requirements on spouses and parents unable to demonstrate financial independence due to caring responsibilities or lack of affordable childcare; if the impact on migrant women who interrupted their careers to raise children has been assessed; if transitional arrangements will be provided for families established in Ireland; and if the position of children growing up and integrating here, whose immigration status may restrict access to opportunities available to Irish and EU children, will be considered. [66088/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra972. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the metrics, benchmarks and outcome indicators by which he intends to assess the success or failure of the proposed Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026, given that no anticipated reduction in demand for housing, education, healthcare or other public services has been identified by him; whether such reductions form part of the policy objectives underpinning the reforms and number of persons who currently possess between one and five years' reckonable residence in the State for naturalisation purposes, by year, in tabular form. [66114/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra973. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration given the proposed Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026 relates only to citizenship acquired through naturalisation and not to citizenship acquired through descent, if there are plans to amend the rules, eligibility criteria, or administrative processing of applications for registration in the Foreign Births Register. [66113/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 889, 894, 895, 897, 899, 905, 906, 912, 913, 914, 916, 920, 922, 924, 927, 938, 939, 941, 942, 943, 944, 948, 958, 961, 968, 969, 970, 971, 972 and 973 together.
The 2025 Programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to implement a firmer migration system that, amongst other things, protects the integrity of our immigration framework.
As Deputies may recall, last November, the Government approved a package of policy and legislative reforms to Ireland’s migration, citizenship, and naturalisation system, ensuring it is rules-based, efficient and more closely aligned with those of other EU Member States.
Government recently approved the priority drafting of legislation to amend aspects of the Irish Naturalisation and Citizenship Act 1956.
The General Scheme of the Bill, which will be published shortly, includes proposals to: increase the qualifying periods of reckonable residence from 5 to 8 years for applicants for naturalisation; create a power to introduce language tests in either English, Irish or Irish Sign Language, and an Irish civics, society and politics test; and ensure applicants for citizenship by naturalisation are self-sufficient.
These measures are intended to support integration and strengthen public confidence in the citizenship system.
The General Scheme provides for the introduction of language proficiency requirements but does not specify the standard to be attained. The Scheme proposes that the Minister may prescribe the required standard and verification process by regulation following enactment of the legislation. My Department will develop these regulations in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and relevant stakeholders. The Scheme also expressly provides for the possibility of waivers of the language requirement in prescribed circumstances, recognising the need to accommodate vulnerable applicants and ensure that the process does not operate unfairly or disproportionately for persons with disabilities or other specific needs. No final decisions have yet been made regarding the precise standard, testing methodology or exemptions.
The Scheme proposes that applicants demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Irish civics and authorises the Minister to prescribe the applicable standard by regulation. The detailed content of any civics assessment, including the areas to be covered and any pass standard, has not yet been determined.
The Scheme provides a framework under which the Minister may prescribe, by regulation, income thresholds, relevant social welfare payments and relevant housing supports that may be considered as part of an assessment of self-sufficiency. The legislation deliberately leaves these details to secondary regulations so that the approach can be carefully developed following consultation with relevant Departments.
The Scheme proposes changes to the qualifying periods of reckonable residence by increasing the qualifying residence period for standard naturalisation applicants to two years' continuous residence immediately before application and six years' residence in the preceding ten years (cumulatively 8 years). An amendment to Section 15A of the Act is also proposed to increase the period of time a non-national spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen should be residing in the state to a cumulative 5 years before being eligible to apply for naturalisation and to insert a number of new criteria to reflect additions being made in section 15 of the Act of 1956, to ensure consistency between these cohorts of applicants.
The Scheme also proposes an amendment of Section 16A of the Act to clarify that time spent residing in Ireland on temporary permissions and other ad-hoc schemes, including time spent in the State on the basis of temporary protection under the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC (which has been activated in respect of the invasion of Ukraine) is not reckonable for naturalisation purposes. It also contains an amendment of Section 6B to ensure consistency remains between Section 6(B)(4) and Section 16A (1). Section 6B (4) concerns the categories of residence by the parent of a child born in Ireland that entitle the child (if not otherwise an Irish citizen) to citizenship at birth.
Finally, the Scheme proposes amendments to the revocation provisions in section 19 of the 1956 Act to provide an explicit power to revoke naturalised citizenship where this is considered necessary in the interests of public policy, public order or national security, and to streamline certain procedural aspects of the revocation process.
The proposed amendments to reckonable residence periods for future naturalisation applications are intended to apply from enactment of the new Bill. Those seeking to apply under the current provisions will only be able to do so until the new Bill is enacted.
The Scheme is focused primarily on citizenship acquired through naturalisation and associated provisions relating to naturalisation, reckonable residence and revocation of certificates of naturalisation. It does not contain proposals to amend the existing statutory provisions governing citizenship by descent or entry onto the Foreign Births Register.
The General Scheme does not include specific provisions relating to members of the Defence Forces or propose special provisions in respect of residence accrued by persons who reside in the State solely for higher education purposes and matters relating to immigration registration fees fall outside of its scope.
The policy objective underpinning the reforms is to strengthen the integrity, durability and public confidence in the naturalisation system by ensuring that applicants have demonstrated a sustained connection to Ireland before citizenship is granted. The Government remains fully committed to ensuring that Ireland remains an attractive destination for international talent and investment. The amendments affect the acquisition of citizenship and do not directly affect, nor are they intended to discourage, legal migration of those who move to Ireland to contribute through work, study or to join family members.
891. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons granted Irish citizenship by naturalisation in each year from 2016 to date, by previous nationality; the number of applications received and refused for each nationality; the refusal rate in each case, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65022/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Last week, Minister O'Callaghan and I secured Government approval for the priority drafting of legislation to strengthen Ireland's naturalisation framework. The proposed draft legislation is intended to simultaneously strengthen the integrity of the naturalisation system and align Ireland more closely with processes in several other EU Member States.
The figures requested by the Deputy are provided in the table below and in the files attached. My Department continues to register applications received in 2025 and the provided information is up to 30 September 2025.
In the attached documents, any country of origin that is less than 10 has been amalgamated into "Rest of the World", this is to avoid possibly identifying any person.
The number of refusals issued in the last 10 years is outlined in the below table. Given that almost all nationalities listed are 'less than 10' for each year, a nationality breakdown is not available.
|
Year |
Refused |
|
2016 |
488 |
|
2017 |
522 |
|
2018 |
1,252 |
|
2019 |
50 |
|
2020 |
8 |
|
2021 |
696 |
|
2022 |
404 |
|
2023 |
129 |
|
2024 |
187 |
|
2025 |
377 |
892. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of certificates of naturalisation granted in each year since 2016 where one or more of the normal statutory naturalisation conditions were waived categorised by the condition waived and applicant country of origin, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65018/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra903. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Section 16 naturalisation applications awaiting a decision; the average processing time for such applications; the measures being taken to reduce delays; and if applicants will be provided with clearer timelines where applications have been outstanding for a prolonged period. [65055/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 892 and 903 together.
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Last year, my Department published new guidelines for applications on the basis of Irish Associations under Section 16(1)(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. These guidelines set out the factors that may be considered when deciding whether to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where an applicant is of Irish descent or has Irish associations. Details of the guidelines are available on my Department's website at the following link: <https://www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-an-irish-citizen-guide/>.
In April 2025, 1,358 fair procedures letters were issued to applicants, affording them an opportunity to make a submission or submit additional documentation in support of their Irish Association application. All submissions received have been reviewed and added to the relevant applications.
I can inform the Deputy that it is not possible to provide statistics on the number of applications received or decisions made each year under Section 16 on the basis of Irish Association. This would require the manual examination of hundreds of cases and would involve a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources.
Following the introduction of the new Section 16 Irish Association guidelines, arrangements have been put in place to record such applications separately. The total number of decisions issued on Irish Association applications since the introduction of the guidelines in April 2025 is 444, comprising 300 refusals and 144 approvals.
Section 16 applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the individual circumstances of each applicant, and can take longer to process than standard naturalisation applications. Accordingly, my Department cannot provide a standard processing time that would be applicable to all such applications.
