Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
1331. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if arrangements can be made to return passports submitted as part of the naturalisation process in order that visa renewal can be completed, as in a case (details supplied). [39142/21]
View answerThe original passports of the applicants referred to by the Deputy were returned by registered post on 15 July 2021.
Under normal circumstances, passports are returned approximately 10 days after their receipt. However, the current limits on staff attendance in the office due to COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in delays in the return of some passports.
It is a requirement of the naturalisation process that a current passport must accompany every application. The identity of every applicant must be confirmed to the greatest extent possible and a passport is a primary identifier.
Applicants are advised not to send in their application during the pandemic if they anticipate that they may have to travel at short notice. However, I fully appreciate that people may have to travel at short notice for emergency reasons or require their passports for official reasons. The citizenship website advises that in these circumstances, applicants should email the citizenship helpdesk with the relevant details. Any request must be accompanied by appropriate scanned supporting material, for example, in the case of travel detailing the reasons for travel, such as medical information. Any request of this nature is dealt with promptly.
