Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
291. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current average processing time from receipt of additional requested information to the issuing of a passport for first-time applications, via online and via post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27368/22]
View answer292. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the turnaround times for passport applications that are processed through the Passport Express facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27381/22]
View answer293. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the turnaround times for paper passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27382/22]
View answer331. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the average length of time that persons were waiting for passport applications to be processed, for online and paper applications systems respectively, in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27721/22]
View answer332. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the average waiting time for passports in relation to new-born children receiving their first passport; the average waiting time for other children receiving their first passport; the average waiting time for children receiving renewal passports; the average waiting time for adults receiving first passports; the average waiting time for adults receiving renewal passports, 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27722/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 291, 292, 293, 331 and 332 together.
The current average processing times for passport applications are as follows:
|
Type of passport application |
Processing time |
|
Passport Online simple adult renewal |
10 working days |
|
Passport Online complex or child renewal |
15 working days |
|
Passport Online first time application |
30 working days |
|
An Post Post Passport (previously known as Passport Express) |
8 weeks |
The current processing time for paper based applications submitted through the An Post "Post Passport" service (previously known as Passport Express) is 8 weeks. The An Post "Post Passport" service is the only paper-based passport application service available to citizens in the State. Processing time applies to fully complete and correct applications. Incomplete applications will take longer to process.
In cases of incomplete applications, where the Passport Service requires further supporting documents from the applicant, such as a new photo, consent form or a birth certificate, the Passport Service will contact the applicant or their guardian and advise them of what is required to complete their application. A new document management system was introduced in March of this year to ensure that once these additional documents are received, applications are prioritised and processed within 15 working days. This processing time applies to applications, both online and paper-based, that require additional supporting documents.
The Passport Service is proactively managing the current demand for passports and has put in place resources and structures to address the significant increase in demand for passports in 2022 in this essential citizen service.
Over half a million passports have been issued so far this year. Last year, 634,000 passports were issued in the whole year. In less than five months, the Passport Service has issued over 80% of the total number of passports that were issued in the whole of last year.
The Passport Service is already out-performing any previous year, despite the challenges that it has encountered over the past two years. In 2019, which was the busiest year for passports pre-Covid, the Passport Service had issued 445,000 passports by the third week of May. In the same time period this year, over 520,000 passports have been issued.
99% of all child and adult online renewal applications are issued within the standard turnaround time and almost half of all adults who renew their passports online will receive their new passport in the post within 2 working days. This compares very favourably with passport services internationally.
Since March, processing times for first time applications have already been reduced by 25% and applications now take 30 working days rather than 40 days. From Monday, 6 June, it is hoped that, based on current trends, this processing time will decrease yet again to 25 working days for first time applications. That means that, in the space of three months, processing time for first-time applications will have been reduced by almost 40% as a direct result of the substantial level of investment that the Department has made in the Passport Service.
The Passport Service have been proactively planning for this significant increase in demand for many months and have made an unprecedented investment in the staffing and resources necessary to meet this demand.
First time applications for newborn babies, children and adults are all treated the same and are processed within the processing times outlined above depending on whether they are online or postal applications.
The average processing times for passport applications in 2019, 2020 and 2021 are outlined below in tabular form.
2019 and 2020 (prior to Covid-19 restrictions)
|
Type of passport application |
Processing time |
|
Passport Online renewal (child and adult) |
10 working days |
|
An Post Passport Express renewal (child and adult) |
15 working days |
|
An Post Passport Express first time application & application to replace lost/stolen/damaged passport |
20 working days |
2021
|
Type of passport application |
Processing time |
|
Passport Online simple adult renewal |
10 working days |
|
Passport Online complex or child renewal |
15 working days |
|
Passport Online first time application |
40 working days |
|
An Post Passport Express |
8 weeks |
