Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 3

Written Answers. - Passport Applications.

Pat Carey

Question:

56 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that handicapped adults travelling to, for example, Lourdes, in the company of either their parents or care adults have to apply for a ten year passport; if he will consider a simpler form of passport arrangement for people on such visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15591/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

Passport fees are set by statutory instrument with the consent of the Minister for Finance. The standard fee is £45 but persons under 18 and over 65 years of age may have three year passports for £10. In addition, as a special concession, groups of between five and fifty invalids travelling to Lourdes may share a single collective passport for one £45 fee.

As far as is practicable, taking into account the desirability for administrative reasons of not allowing too many exceptions to the standard fee, the current passport fee structure accommodates potential hardship cases.

I am very anxious to accommodate the Deputy and if he has a specific case of a person or persons with a disability he might let me have the details so as to allow a ministerial review.