Charlie O'Connor
Ceist:152 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action being taken to clear the backlog of the Passport Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27407/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 23 June 2010
Ceisteanna (132, 133, 134)
John O'Donoghue
Ceist:153 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he intends to take to clear the backlog of applications for passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27031/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.
On 21 June 2010, there were 65,202 applications in the system. Passport Service staff continue to work overtime to assist in keeping the number of applications in the system to a minimum. In the last week, additional staff have commenced work in the Passport Service and will be working to clear this backlog. While this will take some time, every effort is being made to minimise the inconvenience to the travelling public.
The Passport Service has announced that it is now in a position to re-introduce a guaranteed turnaround time for passport applications. Applications submitted via the Passport Express service (Swiftpost in the Republic and NIPX in the North), available through local post offices, are now guaranteed to be processed within 22 working days. This 22 working day guarantee will be kept under review and it is intended that this will reduce over the coming weeks. The new guarantee turnaround time will help re-establish trust in the operation of the Passport Service.
A new service to prioritise applications for those with immediate travel plans has also been introduced. Applications with proof of travel are now guaranteed to be processed within three working days. Applicants should make contact with the Passport Service & provide this proof where applicable. An additional fee may apply in respect of such new applications. This is the fastest turnaround time for all applications except for those whose travel is required for urgent humanitarian reasons.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:154 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [27095/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application in question was received through the Passport Express Service on 31 May, 2010. Applications submitted through this service are now guaranteed to be processed within 22 working days. If the applicant is required to travel urgently he should contact the passport office and provide details of his travel itinerary so that his application can be expedited.