Written Answers Nos. 284-303
287. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a passport application by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the person receiving their passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27284/22]
View answer289. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will cancel a passport application (details supplied) which will allow for the resubmission of an application by this person. [27345/22]
View answer312. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a person (details supplied) will be refunded from November 2021. [27533/22]
View answer353. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport anomaly in the case of a child (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27992/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 287, 289, 312 and 353 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the applications, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant to advise them of the status of their application.
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 |
294. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current number of outstanding passport applications for children under thirteen years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27409/22]
View answer295. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current number of passport applications that remain outstanding for children aged 13 years and under in the State as of 23 May 2022; the plans there are to clear any backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27414/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together.
As of 23 May 2022, there were 58,400 online passport applications in the Passport Service system for children aged thirteen and under.
Over half a million passports have been issued so far this year. Last year, 634,000 passports were issued in the whole year. In 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 in countries such as the UK and United States where passports can take several weeks and sometimes even months to be processed.
The Passport Service is experiencing a very high volume of applications and is currently processing over 25,000 applications per week. While the numbers of applications in the system is high, there is a continuous stream of new applications coming in and a dispatch of completed passports being sent out every day.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and 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.
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 has been scaling up resources to deal with anticipated demand since June of last year. A major recruitment drive, in partnership with the Public Appointments Service, has been underway over the past several months. This has seen the number of Passport Service staff increase by 344 since June 2021.
In addition, the Passport Service has run its own recruitment competition for Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs). The interviews have concluded and TCOs recruited from this competition are being assigned on a weekly basis. The first group began work on Monday, 23 May. This recruitment effort will bring staffing numbers at the Passport Service to over 900 which represents double the number of staff with the Passport Service in June of last year.
Intensive training of new staff and upskilling of existing staff has been underway for several months to increase the resources that can process complex applications, such as first time child applications.
The Passport Service continues to implement further measures to deal with increased demand on its services:
- The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan to ensure that adequate staff, accommodation and technology supports are in place to meet expected demand for passports in 2022.
- The Passport Service has released video tutorials with a view to assisting applicants to complete their application correctly. These videos will be shared on social media and will include instructions on submitting consent forms for child applications properly.
- The Passport Service is prioritising first time applications and directing increased resources to processing these complex applications with a view to reducing the current turnaround time. Passport Service staff are working targeted overtime in this regard.
- The Urgent Appointment Service is available for customers who wish to renew their passport at short notice. Customers availing of this service can renew their passport within 1 or 4 days in Dublin, within 4 days in Cork and within 5 days in London.
- A new document management system was put in place at the beginning of March. This aims to improve the processing speed in the Passport Service offices, and subsequent turnaround times for the applicant. One particular feature of the new system improves the processing time for applicants who have been asked to submit additional documents. Once the additional documents are received, they are being prioritised and complete applications can then be processed in 3 weeks. This significantly reduces the processing time, particularly for first time applicants.
- Public information media campaigns reminding citizens to check and renew their passports will continue during this busy year.
- There is an updated Department of Foreign Affairs website, which includes a new Passport Service section where applicants can easily find out what additional documents are required for their type of application.
I am confident that the measures that have been implemented will help to reduce passport turnaround times in the course of 2022 and will assist the Passport Service in meeting the high demand forecast for this year.
I strongly urge anyone who is considering travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply for their passports online in plenty of time.
296. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will meet the ambassador from India to express the Government’s outrage at recent and escalating calls by members and supporters of President Modi’s party in Haridwar and Delhi for the large-scale elimination of Muslims (details supplied); if he will use Ireland’s position on the United Nations Security Council to call for international sanctions against the Modi regime for encouraging such calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27466/22]
View answerIreland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are.
The promotion of freedom of religion or belief is a priority for Ireland’s human rights engagement at both multilateral and bilateral levels, as reaffirmed in ‘The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World’. Ireland calls on all governments to ensure that all of their citizens, regardless of their religion or belief, enjoy full civil and political rights.
This is of relevance in relation to India, which has the third-largest Muslim population in the world. I am concerned about recent instances of intercommunal tension, including the destruction of shops and businesses, and the Delhi Riots of 2020 which led to dozens of deaths. The Embassy of Ireland in India, together with our European Union partners, monitors human rights protections and concerns in India, and engages with the Indian Government on these issues. The European Union and India also hold regular Human Rights Dialogues. At the most recent Dialogue in 2021, a broad range of issues was covered, including freedom of religion or belief.
Ireland has been active in supporting EU-led resolutions on freedom of religion or belief at both the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN General Assembly. Ireland’s approach on the UN Security Council is informed by our record as a country with a consistent, principled and independent foreign policy. We will continue to put forward our perspectives on all issues on the Council agenda, including UN sanctions.
299. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a new resubmission link for the consent form will be sent to a parent (details supplied) in respect of the passport renewal application for a minor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27487/22]
View answer300. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the travel date of the family is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27494/22]
View answer301. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the travel date of the family is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27495/22]
View answer314. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason the Passport Office requested a document be returned to the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27540/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 300, 299, 301 and 314 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
303. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27497/22]
View answer319. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an online renewal passport application for a minor (details supplied) will be dispatched in time for his family’s travel date in view of the fact that the application was received by the Passport Office on 13 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27563/22]
View answer336. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport can be dispatched for a person (details supplied) as soon as possible given the urgent need for the applicant to travel for family reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27806/22]
View answer349. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport renewal application by a person (details supplied) with an application date of 26 March 2022 will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27940/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 319, 336 and 349 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the applications and they are being processed within the current average turnaround times. The Passport Service has provided a status update to the applicants.
