2278. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will confirm whether a period of residence in the State held under Stamp 0 permission is reckonable for the purposes of section 16A of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, noting that Stamp 0 is not among the categories of residence excluded by that section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61435/26]

2279. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the proposed amendments to the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 approved by Government on 26 November 2025, which would exclude residence accrued on certain temporary permissions from reckonable residence, are intended to apply to Stamp 0 permission; the expected timeline for publication of the general scheme and the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61464/26]

2295. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for a certificate of naturalisation granted in each of the years 2020 to 2026 to date, in which a period of residence held under Stamp 0 permission was counted as reckonable residence, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61434/26]

2304. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to advertising by legal and immigration services firms stating that Stamp 0 permission is reckonable for the purposes of naturalisation; if he is satisfied that the guidance published by Immigration Service Delivery, and the online naturalisation residency calculator, which does not include an option for Stamp 0, reflect the operative position; the steps he will take to publish updated guidance on which permissions are reckonable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61449/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2278, 2279, 2295 and 2304 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.

Stamp 0 may be granted to a person who wishes to come to Ireland to retire or to live as an elderly dependent of a sponsoring family member. This immigration permission is granted only where there is proof that the applicant is financially self-sufficient or that the sponsor can fully support them financially. Holders of Stamp 0 are not permitted to work or engage in any business, trade, or profession (unless specified in a letter of permission from Immigration Service Delivery). They cannot receive any State benefits or use publicly funded services and must have comprehensive medical insurance with full private hospital cover.

Time spent in the State on a Stamp 0 is currently reckonable residence for citizenship. My Department does not collate statistics on the immigration permission or permissions held by applicants who were granted naturalisation. The Deputy will be aware that people may change their immigration permissions and may rely on a number of different permissions when applying for naturalisation, provided those permissions are reckonable under the 1956 Act.

Last November, 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, my Department is reviewing aspects of Ireland's citizenship legislation and developing proposed amendments. Draft legislative proposals will be brought to Government shortly. Any proposals approved by Government will be subject to scrutiny through the normal Oireachtas legislative process.