Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
739. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application applied for in January 2021 will be processed for a person (details supplied) in order that they can receive their Australian visa as soon as possible. [16221/21]
View answer749. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) must wait so long to have their passport processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14204/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 749 together.
In line with Government guidance that at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19 only essential work should take place, the Passport Service continues to provide a high-quality essential service in line with Government measures to reduce social contact and combat the spread of COVID-19.
This essential service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or meet the criteria for a reasonable excuse for non-essential travel as defined in the recent amendment to the Health Act 1947, which came into effect on 1 February 2021. Supporting documentation will be required for such cases. In order to facilitate the return of travel documents which may have been submitted in support of a passport application, all documents will be registered so that they can be returned for emergency travel or for non-essential travel with a reasonable excuse.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or for non-essential travel with a reasonable excuse, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.
Irish citizens who are resident overseas should make contact through the local Irish Embassy or Consulate General.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has inquired, an official from the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant on 18 March to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
