Passport Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2017

Tuesday, 30 May 2017

Questions (321)

David Cullinane

Question:

321. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures his Department has put in place to enable persons who wish to apply for passports but who do not have a public services card and are not resident in the State, such as residents of Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Canada and Australia, once the requirement to have a public services card to apply for a passport is in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25730/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Public Services Card (PSC) is designed to assist people in accessing a range of Government services from different departments. It is not confined to passports. As such there are no plans to make holding the Public Services Card a requirement for passport applicants who are not resident in the State. These applications will continue to be subject to the highest standards of verification and the documentary requirements are kept under continual review.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight – for those resident overseas in particular – the benefits of the Online Passport Application Service. Adults who qualify can renew their passports from their mobile devices or computers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of where in the world they are. The online service dispenses with the need for any paperwork and it takes just ten working days plus postage for a passport to issue.