Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
49. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport service will initiate a review of the handling of a passport express application by a person (details supplied) that has taken over six months to process; if measures will be put in place to ensure delays in the processing of passport express applications will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38579/23]
View answerThe Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports, and has issued over 755,000 passports to date in 2023 and all turnaround times are at their target level. There are no application backlogs, all applications are being processed in the normal way. Over half of all simple adult online renewals are processed within 2 working days.
The Passport Service remains committed to offering a range of application channels for citizens, including our paper-based service for citizens who are not eligible or do not wish to use the Passport Online service.
Paper applications, by nature, will always be a slower process. It is also not possible with paper applications to differentiate between simple adult renewals and the most complex of first time applications as applicants use the same form for all application types. Therefore, the turnaround time for all paper applications is 8 weeks. When further supporting documents are requested the turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is a further 15 working days.
With regard to the application about which the Deputy has enquired, this was a Post Passport paper application. The applicant's previous passport had issued more than 15 years ago, and so the applicant was required to submit further supporting documents. Following two requests for those documents the application was deemed complete on 13 July 2023 and the passport was issued 31 July.
I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient online service as it provides the applicant with a comprehensive bespoke list of the documentation required for their individual application. The online channel is now used by over 90% of applicants worldwide.
