Dáil Éireann - Volume 592 - 18 November, 2004

Written Answers. - Citizenship Applications.

Mr. J. O’Keeffe Mr. J. O’Keeffe

1546

[1546]   166. Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason it is taking 24 months to process applications for naturalisation; and if he has proposals to deal with this aspect of his ministerial responsibility more efficiently. [29612/04]

Mr. McDowell Mr. McDowell

  Mr. McDowell: The lengthy processing time for applications for naturalisation is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications being received during the last number of years. The following table sets out the position in this regard for the last five years:

There are 23 staff assigned to the citizenship section of my Department at the present time. In all, 650 staff members are employed by my Department in the provision of the services for or in respect of non-nationals. Unfortunately, it has been the case that over 70% of those staff are engaged full time in activities associated with the actual processing of asylum claims or in the provision of support of asylum applicants. However, the major reduction in the numbers of asylum applications is now giving me an opportunity to re-focus those resources on the area of service provisions for non-nationals which are under resourced at this point in time. The citizenship area is one of the areas which will benefit from that process.

Mr. Durkan Mr. Durkan

  167. Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a citizenship application in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29636/04]

Mr. McDowell Mr. McDowell

  Mr. McDowell: A declaration of acceptance of Irish citizenship as post-nuptial citizenship was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 9 August 2004 from the person referred to in the Deputy’s question. The average processing time for such declarations is approximately ten months at present. It is likely, therefore, that processing of the declaration of the person concerned will be concluded by May 2005. The declaration has recently been returned to the person concerned for some amendments. When these amendments have been carried out, processing of the applicant’s declaration will continue.

Dáil Éireann 592 Written Answers. Citizenship Applications.

Questions

20041118