Written answer
Naturalisation Applications
301. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider reducing the fee of €950 for those who are applying for naturalisation through marriage who have been living in the State for ten years or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38002/24]
Comment on this
312. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has considered lowering the €950 fee for the certificate of naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37370/24]
Comment on this
313. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will introduce a waiver or a reduction in the €950 fee for certificate of naturalisation, for people who have been granted citizenship and who can show a certain level of PRSI contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37371/24]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 301, 312 and 313 together.
The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee is €175.
A certification fee of €950 is then required following a positive decision being reached on the naturalisation application.
The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee.
The State has not increased the fees for naturalisation applications since 2011.
There is no provision in the Regulations for a discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities, or based on the length of residency in the State.
All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no current plans to amend the fees.