Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
23. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason why paper passport applications are taking eight weeks and longer to process; the percentage of applications received that are paper based; the reason why such applications cannot be prioritised in urgent cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5659/24]
View answerThe Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Passport Online is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications.
Over 90% of all passport applications are made through Passport Online which is now available to 99.9% of all applicants globally.
The Passport Service remains committed to offering a range of application channels, including a paper-based service for citizens who are not eligible or do not wish to use the Passport Online service.
Due to the nature of the paper application process, it will always be a slower service. The turnaround time for all paper applications is 8 weeks and the Passport Service is meeting this target turnaround time successfully. Given that less than 10% of applicants now use the paper service, it is not the priority service for the Passport Service in the context of strategy and resources.
The Passport Service has a dedicated Travel Emergency team that works to expedite all types of passport applications in cases of genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad.
For applicants resident in Ireland, the Passport Service offers an Urgent Appointment service whereby applicants who need to renew their passport urgently can book an appointment at either the Dublin or Cork passport offices. The Dublin passport office can issue a passport within 1 or 4 days, while the Cork passport office can issue a passport in 4 days. Applicants who already have a paper passport application in the system can avail of the Urgent Appointment service and their original paper application will be cancelled once they attend their appointment at the Passport Office and their new passport is issued.
My Department is currently running an extensive communications campaign to encourage passport applicants to apply early and to apply online. This campaign has been very successful in increasing the numbers of applications received in January 2024 and will help to ensure that those citizens who need to renew their passport this year or apply for a passport for a child will have their passports well before the traditional summer peak season.
The Passport Service is well-resourced to meet forecasted demand for 2024. My Department has implemented a staffing plan to ensure that excellent customer service is maintained throughout periods of peak demand. There are currently 795 staff working in the Passport Service and my Department is continuing to work to increase resources within the service.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
The percentage of paper based applications received in 2023 and in 2024 to date is outlined below in tabular form.
|
Year |
Paper Passport Applications Received |
|
2023 |
94,749 (9% of total applications received) |
|
2024 (up to 01/02/24) |
10,540 (8% of total applications received) |
