Passport Applications Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2015

Thursday, 26 March 2015

Questions (210)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

210. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications that have been made, by year, where the applicant is seeking to record a different gender on the passport than that which is on the applicant's birth certificate; the number of passports that have been issued, by year, where a different gender is recorded than the gender recorded on the applicant's birth certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12363/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

In 2014 the Passport Service issued 25 passports to applicants who changed their gender. In 2013 the Passport Service issued 18 passports to applicants in this category.

Section 11 of the Passport Act, 2008 provides the framework relating to the processing of passport applications from citizens seeking a gender change on their passport. It allows for a citizen— who has undergone, or is undergoing, treatment or procedures or both to alter the applicant's sexual characteristics and physical appearance to those of the opposite sex, to apply to the Passport Service to have a passport issued to the applicant in their new name, and if appropriate, to have the new sex of the applicant entered on the passport. The applicant must provide medical evidence from a registered medical practitioner to confirm the medical treatment and in the case where a new name is being used, they must provide evidence of usage of the new name.