More than 30,000 Irish Citizenship decisions have been made in 2024, Ireland's Department of Justice said on Monday, December 2.
The figure of more than 30,000 decisions represents a significant increase in the number of Irish Citizenship decisions made in 2023 (20,000) and is nearly double the number of decisions made in 2022.
Ireland's Citizenship Division has held 24 Irish Citizenship ceremonies this year, an increase from the 15 ceremonies held last year, and the six that were held in 2022.
This Monday and Tuesday alone, over 6,000 new Irish citizens will be granted citizenship in seven Ceremonies being held at the INEC Killarney in Co Kerry.
The Ceremonies will see applicants from 140 countries around the world, and living in 32 counties on the island of Ireland, being conferred as Irish citizens.
Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in Ireland in 2011 marking the occasion of the granting of Irish Citizenship in a dignified and solemn manner.
Since Irish Citizenship Ceremonies were first introduced, there has been a total of 197 Ceremonies (inclusive) with people from over 180 countries receiving their certificates of naturalization.
To date, over 191,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011. The figure of 191,000 includes Monday and Tuesday's attendees and applicants who received citizenship via the Declaration process introduced in response to the COVID pandemic, as well as minors who are not required to attend a Ceremony.
Speaking ahead of Monday and Tuesday's Irish Citizenship Ceremonies, Ireland's Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said; “I would like to congratulate all of our newest Irish citizens, as well as their family and friends joining them on this special day.
"I encourage our new citizens to continue to contribute to building inclusive communities. In forging connections between our cultures, we can enrich our social fabric.
"Our new citizens play an essential role fuelling growth in our economy. They also contribute immensely to industries where we have labour shortages like construction, agriculture and healthcare. They also make our workforce more diverse and inclusive.”
The ceremonies will see applicants from 140 countries around the world, and living in 32 counties on the island of Ireland, being conferred as Irish citizens.
Congratulations to one and all. pic.twitter.com/ajCAs2YXKR
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) December 2, 2024
The Presiding Officers at the Irish Citizenship Ceremonies on Monday and Tuesday are retired Justice Paddy McMahon and retired President of the High Court Mary Irvine. They will confer the attendees with Irish Citizenship and will administer the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State.
The new Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.
Ireland's Department of Justice noted on Monday that "significant changes" have been introduced in its Citizenship Division "to speed up the application process for applicants, including the introduction of an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting."
Going forward, the Department envisions that the majority of applications based on residency will receive a decision within 12 months.
The department cautioned that "no two applications are the same, and some take longer than others to process."
Applicants are required to have five years reckonable residence in the Irish State prior to making an application. More information on the application process is available online here.