Vol. 448 No. 6
58 Mr. Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to upgrade the passport facility in Cork to a full passport issuing office; if the transition will require new premises and additional staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2685/95]
I intend that the passport office in Cork be operating as a full issuing office from about the middle of this year.
New and larger premises have been acquired by the Office of Public Works in the same building in which the passport office is currently housed; these new premises will be fitted out for use over the next few months.
The new office will require additional personnel, both permanent and temporary, and the process of selecting staff is currently under way. When fully operational, it is expected that the passport office in Cork will employ in the region of 20 permanent staff with up to 20 additional temporary staff during periods of peak demand.
