Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
883. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed urgently owing to the current backlog within the passport office. [20442/21]
View answerIn line with Government guidance at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19, 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 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.
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, the Passport Service issued correspondence to the applicant's mother on 15 April 2021 to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
