Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 February 2018
121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the request to establish a passport office in County Monaghan as discussed at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence is being given further consideration in view of the increased demand in Ulster for Irish passports and the need to provide such services in this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5309/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service offers a range of convenient channels for submission of passport applications by Irish citizens, at home and abroad. Advice and guidance on these channels and other useful information on passports is available on the Department’s website at www.dfa.ie/passport.
The award-winning online Passport Renewal service for adults was launched in March 2017 and offers the convenience of an online application system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Irish citizens anywhere in the world, without the need for application forms, printed photos or witnesses.
People who cannot or do not wish to apply online have the option of applying through their local post office. In 2017, over 400,000 citizens availed of this option and submitted their passport application through the network of more than one thousand post offices across the State. The Northern Ireland Passport Express service offers an equivalent service to those living in Northern Ireland from more than 70 of its post offices.
Bearing in mind the availability of both the online and postal application channels, very few citizens living in the island of Ireland are required to travel a significant distance in order to apply for their passport. In the relatively small number of cases where citizens need to travel very urgently and do not have a valid passport, the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork offer an appointment service.
In all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the range of options available meets the current needs of passport applicants, without the establishment of a further passport office.
I would further note that it is already planned to extend the online application facility to all citizens - including first-time applicants and children - by 2019.
Finally and regarding demand, I am pleased to say that over 20 permanent staff have joined the Passport Service in the past month to address the increased demand for passports from Irish citizens worldwide. Further, the Passport Service is also this year employing over 210 temporary clerical officers to assist in processing applications during peak season. I wish to reassure the Deputy the Passport Service monitors the volume of applications on an ongoing basis to ensure that resources are available to meet demand.
