Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2017
58. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will undertake an information campaign to ensure that passport applications are submitted allowing for extra time for processing; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are being advised nationally that the passport express service is a 15-day turnaround as opposed to a 15-working-day turnaround; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25364/17]
View answerThe target turnaround period for Passport Express renewal applications is fifteen working days. The Passport Express service operates in partnership with An Post and this revised target has been in place for over a year. It is a target rather than a stated guarantee of service delivery.
The fifteen working day target is communicated very clearly on the website and in all promotional materials of An Post including Passport Express receipts and on the website of my Department. The Passport Service also promotes messages on turnaround times in all customer contacts, including on social media and via stands at travel exhibitions. I regularly provide information and guidance on turnaround times in responses to parliamentary questions, through frequent written updates for Members and correspondence with those who have queries.
I want to reiterate that the target for renewals is fifteen working days - in other words, effectively three weeks. It is not fifteen days, ten days or any other period. An Post is kept apprised on a regular basis of any fluctuations in average turnaround times.
The average turnaround time for Passport Express renewals is currently fifteen working days, in line with the published target.
All applicants are advised on notes accompanying the passport application form to check current turnaround times online on the website of my Department. First time applications take longer due to the need for extra security checks. The turnaround times are updated weekly. Applicants who do not have sufficient time to make a Passport Express application are advised to book an appointment online and to submit an application in person at the Passport Office in either Dublin or Cork.
In all cases, applicants are advised not to book travel unless in possession of a valid passport.
I recently launched the Online Passport Application Service, which allows adult citizens to renew their passports online from anywhere in the world at any time of the day or night, without any paperwork or witnesses. The turnaround time for the online service is ten working days plus postage time and the response from online applicants has been very positive so far. I urge deputies to encourage all eligible applicants to avail of this fast, secure and convenient facility. A promotional campaign on social media and on public transport is underway which should lift the numbers further. As more applicants avail of the service, the efficiency gains will help improve turnaround times more broadly.
I have repeated the advice I have provided today on many occasions in this House. Despite this and the public information efforts it is clear that a number of people continue to use an incorrect channel and this results in follow-on requests and representations to expedite applications. I have asked therefore the Passport Service and the Communications Unit in my Department to look at further steps in the coming weeks to help improve public awareness of best practice in submitting passport applications. This complements the ongoing advertising campaign to promote use of the new online passport application service.
