Legislation to bring in tougher citizenship criteria
Changes to legislation on international protection and citizenship are among a package of measures on migration approved by the Government today (26 November).
Some of the changes follow the publication of a review of Government policy on family reunification, which sets out how Irish citizens and non-EEA residents can apply to bring family members to Ireland.
The updated policy will continue to allow Irish citizens and eligible non-EEA citizens to be joined by immediate family members (spouses, partners and children under 18) but “strict limits” will be placed on other family members.
Under the new policy, people sponsoring applications will need to demonstrate “a clear financial capacity” to provide for their family members, while an application fee will also be introduced.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said that he was also introducing the power to revoke or refuse a residence permit for a refugee in circumstances where they are found to be a danger to the security of the state or have been convicted of involvement in serious crime.
Social-welfare payments
The minister said that he had also received Government approval to raise the period of residence necessary to apply for Irish citizenship from three to five years for people granted international protection.
He also plans to bring in additional eligibility criteria that would prevent individuals who have been receiving certain social-welfare payments from applying for citizenship.
“My intention here is not to bar anybody who has ever received a welfare payment from the State, but I think it is reasonable to expect that a person seeking to become a citizen has contributed to the country,” the minister stated.
“There will be welfare payments that will not, and should not, affect a person’s ability to apply and be granted citizenship,” he added.
Accommodation contribution
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is to work with the Attorney General’s Office and Department of Social Protection to develop the heads of legislation on citizenship requirements.
The package also includes a proposal for residents of international-protection accommodation who are working to contribute towards their accommodation, with the level of contribution linked to income.
The department said that this scheme would be implemented within “a planned 12-month period”, allowing for the development of systems and resources to assess eligibility, share data securely, and collect and process payments.
“These proposed changes to asylum and citizenship legislation, alongside policy measures, are another important step towards ensuring our migration and asylum system is rules-based and efficient,” said Minister O’Callaghan.