Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
156. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports are now being printed in the Cork Passport office; if so, if the rapid urgent appointment service can also be provided in this office, which has previously been called for by this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27979/23]
View answerThe introduction of Passport Online in 2017 has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing, resulting in greater efficiencies for the Passport Service and our citizens. Passport Online is the quickest and easiest channel for passport applicants, and is now used by over 90% of applicants across the world.
Thanks to operational and staffing plans implemented by the Department, the Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand, and all turnaround times are at their target level. The Passport Service has issued over 510,000 passports to date in 2023.
The Passport Office in Cork operates a four-day turnaround Urgent Appointment service for passport renewals. However, since over half of all simple adult renewals issue within two working days, for many, the Passport Online service is even faster than the 4 day urgent appointment service offered at our public counters.
The Cork office can also facilitate the immediate issuance of emergency travel documents in situations of genuine urgency such as a medical emergency or a bereavement abroad.
The Passport Service operates three passport book printing machines, two of which are located in the main production facility at the Balbriggan campus and the third in the Passport Office in Dublin 2. Each passport printer has a printing capacity of 250 passports per hour.
I am satisfied overall that the current production capacity meets the needs of passport applicants. The purchase of any additional printer would require the assessment of the considerable financial implications involved. While there are no current plans to install a printing machine in the Cork office, the Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential citizen service.
