Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2010
224 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the revenue generated from the passport office through the issue of passports annually since 2006; if he will provide the annual cost of the passport service since 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43959/10]
View answer225 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the receipts, current expenditure and capital expenditure of the passport service annually since 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44005/10]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.
An annual revenue/cost statement for Passport Service for the period 2006-2009 is set out below. Figures for 2010 will not be available until the Department's Appropriation Account has been signed after the end of the financial year.
The statement shows that whereas the number of passports issued fell by 6.75% over the period, passport fee income has remained relatively stable, reflecting increases in passport charges in 2009. The average cost of producing a passport varied slightly over the period reflecting the one off costs associated with the introduction of the enhanced security features of the ePassport.
I must emphasise that the annualised fee for a standard Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At €8 per year the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €9 per year for a British passport, €9 per year for a French passport, €8 per year for a Danish passport, €10 per year for a United States passport and €15 per year for an Australian passport.
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
|
Total Revenue |
€30,856,000 |
€30,544,000 |
€29,720,000 |
€31,687,000 |
|
Current Expenditure |
€34,759,000 |
€42,606,000 |
€37,723,000 |
€36,245,000 |
|
Capital Expenditure |
€4,089,000 |
€153,000 |
€435,000 |
€467,000 |
|
Total Costs* |
€38,848,000 |
€42,759,000 |
€38,158,000 |
€36,712,000 |
|
Surplus/Deficit |
-€7,992,000 |
-€12,215,000 |
-€8,438,000 |
-€5,025,000 |
|
No. Passports Issued |
614,215 |
606,937 |
576,617 |
572,783 |
|
Revenue Per Issue |
€50.24 |
€50.32 |
€51.54 |
€55.32 |
|
Cost Per Issue |
€63.25 |
€70.45 |
€66.18 |
€64.09 |
The cost figures do not include the cost of a range of shared services provided to the Passport Service e.g. financial management and human resource management services provided by the Department, and legal services provided by the Office of the Attorney General.
