Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
128. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on passport applications and processing times presently; if these are expected to change coming into the holiday season; how many applications were processed to date this year; how many are outstanding and currently in waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8025/24]
View answerThe Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target and no backlogs.
In 2023, over 1 million applications were received and over 950,000 passports were issued. So far in 2024, the Passport Service has issued over 143,400 passports.
There are currently over 143,600 passport applications in the system. However, 54% of these applications are pending further action by the applicant.
The current passport turnaround times are:
• 10 working days for simple adult online renewals (currently issuing in 2-6 days)
• 15 working days for complex or child online renewals (currently issuing in 6 days)
• 20 working days for first time online applications (currently issuing in 18-19 days)
• 8 weeks for Post Passport (paper) applications
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 and is continuing to work to increase resources within the service.
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 and February 2024 which 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 holiday season peak.
The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. 99.9% of all first-time and renewal applicants worldwide can apply now online.
Currently, 100% of calls to the Customer Service Hub are being answered and customers can easily access the information they need through the Hub. The Customer Service Hub responds to an average of 10,000 queries per week.
The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four-day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants. The Dublin office also offers a one-day Urgent Appointment service.
2024 is expected to be another busy year for the Passport Service and the Passport Service is in an excellent position to meet the demand forecasted for this year.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply for their passports through Passport Online, as the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way to apply for a passport.
