Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 3

Written Answers. - Passport Applicants.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

59 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures, if any, in place to prevent delays and queuing for passport applicants in the coming busy holiday season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9266/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I have taken a number of steps which I am confident will help to avoid the delays experienced by passport applicants in recent years. To put the situation in context, I would point out that within the past few years there has been a huge volume increase in passport applications, a total of 213,000 in 1994, representing a 32 per cent increase on 1991. Demand so far this year is 4 per cent ahead of last year. Measures taken to respond to this increased demand include a reduced fee for low-season applications, staff increases, upgrading of computer and telephone systems, and the addition of a new waiting area in the Dublin office.

To further improve the service to the public I launched passport express jointly with An Post on 14 March 1995. This new service is aimed at making passports available more quickly and conveniently through the extensive post office network. Passport application forms and special passport express envelopes are now stocked at participating post offices, of which there are over three hundred at present, and a fee of £3 is charged by An Post to cover postal and administrative costs. The service is based on next day delivery and a commitment that a passport will be returned within ten working days when the application is properly completed. I am very happy about the positive response to passport express.

With the busy season now well under way, the numbers calling to the public office in Molesworth Street have fallen off significantly. Applicants who have found it necessary to transact their business in person have not experienced any delays or inordinate queuing. I attribute this largely to the success of passport express which is now accounting for almost 60 per cent of all applications received. It is clear that applicants have been attracted by the local nature of the service and the fact that the commitment to having passports issued within ten working days, where the application has been properly completed, is being met. I believe that this new service to the public, together with the other measures already mentioned, should ensure that undue delays and lengthy queuing at the Passport Office do not recur.

I intend that the Passport Office will continue to give the best possible service to the public. The next development is the upgrading of the Passport Office in Cork to a full issuing office. Work on this is currently under way and the office will soon be ready to provide a full passport service for the people of Munster.