668. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to respond to correspondence (details supplied). [73550/26]

The naturalisation application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.

I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.

It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service.

For that reason, while I expect that, going forward, most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year.

Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to improve the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting.

All applicants are required to satisfy the good character criterion under Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended.

Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:

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.