The Department of Justice’s immigration service delivery modernisation programme aims to digitise a number of currently paper-based immigration processes and introduce a portal system where individuals can manage and view all aspects of their interaction with immigration services.

The new online citizenship application service will allow potential new Irish citizens to complete their application form, upload necessary supporting documentation and pay fees online.

The paper-based application will remain available to those who cannot access an online service.

Justice minister Helen McEntee said: “One of my strategic priorities as minister for justice is to deliver a fair and balanced immigration system which is fit for the digital age. Accelerating innovation and digital transformation across the justice sector to ensure our systems are modern, efficient and accessible is key to this.

“The new online system for citizenship applications will provide a better public service and increase the efficiency of the application process.

“Applications for citizenship have been rising in recent years, totalling over 17,000 in 2022 and over 16,000 to date in 2023. The digitisation of the citizenship application process will also improve the capacity of my Department to efficiently process the growing number of applications.

“From a sustainability and customer service perspective, reducing paper-based systems is a strategic objective across government, and I am pleased that my Department is also making positive progress in that regard.”