Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
176. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration has been given to notifying passport holders that their current passport will expire within a certain period for example, six months, thereby prompting renewal applications in a timely manner. [15848/23]
View answerEach year the Passport Service proactively plans for the demand forecasted for the following year. Part of this planning involves a public communications strategy carried out by my Department, with a view to ensuring passport demand is manageable throughout the year, by encouraging citizens to apply in plenty of time for their passport prior to travel.
The 2022 communications campaign for passports ran throughout the year over print, broadcast and digital mediums, as well as stadium, event and airport advertising. It included advertisements in national and local radio, as well as advertisements in national press and social media. My Department also issued a press release at the end of 2022, which contained a reminder to citizens to check the validity of their passports and to renew if required. This press release received significant coverage across national media.
My Department has rolled out a similar media and communications campaign for 2023, with a Digital First focus. The campaign aims to encourage citizens to check their passport before booking travel, and to apply for their passport online and in plenty of time. This campaign began in December, with digital, print and social media advertisements. Radio advertisements commenced in January, followed by outdoor advertising in February. All advertisements remind citizens to check the validity of their passports before booking travel.
Indications are that the campaign has had the desired effect. The Passport Service received over 148,000 applications in January, the second highest monthly figure on record. Over 92% of these applicants applied online. The number of applications coming in remains high, and the Passport Service has issued over 275,000 passports to date in 2023.
The Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential citizen service, including a passport renewal reminder service as part of future system enhancements.
