asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will redeploy staff from another area of the public service to alleviate the lengthy queues outside the Passport Office for the summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Passport Office Staffing.
48.
The permanent staff of the Passport Office is 25. So far this year it has been increased to 100 by the addition of 75 temporary staff. A further intake of ten extra staff is taking place this week.
I would assure the House that the operations of the Passport Office which is facing a 20 per cent increase in passport applications this year so far are continuously kept under review. I would, however, take the opportunity to appeal to members of the public who are going abroad on holidays this year to apply in good time and by post if they do not want to run the risk of being disappointed. Such applications will be dealt with within ten to 14 days of receipt. Application forms can be got at any Garda station.