Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 January 2023
240. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth certificate will issue for a person (details supplied) who applied in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2450/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have had a positive impact on the waiting time for applicants. The current waiting time for FBR applications is 11 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in mid 2022.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the required supporting documents were not received in respect of this application. The Passport Service has requested the documents from the applicant, and the application will be processed on receipt of this documentation.
If the applicant would like further information on the requirements for their application, they can speak to a dedicated Foreign Birth Registration agent by contacting the Passport Service Customer Service Hub on +353 1 671 1633.
