Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
38. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications on hand; the number of which have been on hand for longer than 1, 3, 6, 9 or 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14851/24]
View answer44. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications being processed within the Passport Office as of 2 April 2024. [15100/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 44 together.
The Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports to date this year. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.There are currently over 160,000 passport applications in the system. 91,000, or 57% of these applications, are with the Passport Service for processing. The remaining 68,000 are awaiting further action by the applicant before they can be progressed. This means that the Passport Service is waiting for the applicant to submit supporting documents in order to move the application forward. It is the experience of the Passport Service that it can take weeks or months for Passport Online applicants to submit the documents required in order to progress their application. Once the applicant has submitted an application through Passport Online, the Passport Service emails them regularly to remind them to submit the required supporting documentation.
The numbers of passport applications currently in the system are outlined below in tabular form. The numbers below are broken down between applications that are with the Passport Service for action and those that require further action by the applicant. Applications that are with the applicant cannot be progressed by the Passport Service until the applicant takes the required action.
|
With PPS |
With Applicant |
||
|
MONTHS since most recent correspondence from applicant |
# Applications |
MONTHS |
# Applications |
|
Less than 1 month |
84,449 |
Less than 1 month |
34,950 |
|
1 – 2 |
6,858 |
1 – 2 |
13,531 |
|
3 – 5 |
113 |
3 – 5 |
5,391 |
|
6 – 11 |
107 |
6 – 11 |
6,005 |
|
12 + |
142 |
12 + |
8,963 |
|
Total with PPS |
91,669 |
Total with Applicant |
68,840 |
The number of passport applications that are with the Passport Service for processing six months or more represents 0.001% of the total number of applications in the system. These are very complex or sensitive cases that may involve citizenship, guardianship or legal issues. These require very thorough examination by experienced staff and can take longer to process. There are often multiple interactions between the Passport Service and the applicant or their guardians during this time, as well as with other government departments and agencies if required.
