Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2018
59. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of applications received for the online passport renewal system since it was established; the way in which it can improve waiting times for those seeking passport renewals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27984/18]
View answerThe Online Passport Application service is the cheapest and most convenient way for an adult to renew a passport as it can be done online anywhere in the world, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and removes the requirement for forms, witnesses or printed photos. Since its launch, over 200,000 applications for passport renewals have been received online. For online applicants, the target turnaround timeframe of 10 working days (plus postage) is being met and in 50% of cases, applications are being processed in 5 working days (plus postage). I would urge adult applicants wishing to renew their passports, whether residing in Ireland or overseas, to avail of the online passport application service where possible. The Online Passport Application service is part of a wider Passport Reform Programme (2016 – 2021). This programme is informed by a customer engagement survey undertaken in 2015, the results of which indicated a very high level of interest in an online passport application service.
With this in mind, the Passport Reform Programme aims to roll out further online application services for children by 2018, with plans to extend this for other adult renewal categories.
The continued uptake of the Online Passport Application service, along with the rollout of online application options for further categories of applicants, has benefits for all applicants. As more applications are processed online, resources within the Passport Office can be reallocated towards reducing the turnaround times for other categories of applicants.
