Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 December 2013
65. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the current processing of passports; his views on the timeliness of the processing of passports, particularly during summer months; the further improvements he has planned in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54973/13]
View answerIn 2012 my Department issued 631,947 passports. We are currently on track for the issuance of a similar number in 2013. Customers applying through the Passport Express service are given a commitment by the Passport Service that ten days from the date of receipt of properly completed applications, a passport will be issued. Last year over 83% (428,000) of all persons applying for their passports in the State used Passport Express. At present the turnaround time for passport express applications is 5 working days. However passport demand in Ireland is seasonal. Almost 50% of all passport applications are received in the four months April–July. Currently the passport service is receiving 8,000 applications a week. This contrasts with 19,000 applications per week in July. For this reason, as we advise applicants on the information note accompanying the form and our website, during the peak summer period application processing times for this service can lengthen. Therefore I strongly advise citizens who are planning to renew their passport in 2014 to do so in the off peak period.
The minimum turnaround time for a passport is 3 working days. However every effort is made by the Passport Service to meet a travel date in cases of genuine emergency. Emergency passports are issued only in circumstances where the Passport Service is satisfied, on the basis of the application and supporting evidence, that: the proposed journey is related to the death, serious injury or illness abroad of a close relative or a medical emergency relating to the applicant him/herself and that the need to travel has arisen at short notice
In 2013 the Passport Service moved from the very successful pilot to full implementation of the appointments service in the Molesworth Street office. This service allows customers to book, via a simple web based system, guaranteed time slots before travelling into the office. The public have responded very well to this and in particular are very welcoming of the fact that the need to queue has been eliminated. Priority in the system is given to those with urgent travel needs (travelling in 3-10 days) with the majority of appointments available to those who fit into this category.
