443. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify if the residence years from five to eight include transitional provisions for people already lawfully resident here; and the evidence base for eight years rather than five. [67079/26]

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 the Deputy 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 includes proposals to: increase the qualifying periods of reckonable residence for standard naturalisation applicants to two years' continuous residence immediately before application and six years' residence in the preceding ten years (cumulatively 8 years); 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.

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 policy objective underpinning the reforms is to support integration, and 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.