Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
48. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports awaiting processing through the An Post Passport Express system; the reason for the delays in the processing of passports; his plans to hire new staff to deal with the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12698/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service provides a range of channels to Irish citizens wishing to apply for a passport, including postal channels, an award winning online application service, in person counter application facilities in Dublin and Cork and through the network of Irish Missions worldwide.
The Passport Service is currently processing over 66,000 passport applications. Of these applications, just over 39,000 were received through the Passport Express channel. These applications are going through the normal checking, processing and security stages. From 1 January – 14 March this year, the Passport Service received over 198,000 applications in total, an increase of 7% on the same period last year.
The highest proportion of applications are submitted through the Passport Express postal channel. The average turnaround time for renewal applications submitted through An Post Passport Express currently stands at 16 working days. Recent weeks have seen unusually high turnaround times for this type of application but these have reduced and stabilised as more resources have been directed to managing high application volumes. Other types of application submitted through Passport Express, such as first time applications, are taking longer.
The Passport Service is doing everything possible to reduce the processing times for all types of application and to assist people as far as possible that are travelling soon. It is expected that turnaround time will return to the target of 15 working day for all types of Passport Express applications in the coming days.
I am pleased to say that over 20 permanent staff have recently joined the Passport Service to address the increased demand for passports from Irish citizens worldwide. Further, the Passport Service is also this year employing over 220 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.
The target turnaround time for applications made via the online passport application service is 10 working days plus postage. The vast majority of online applications are currently being processed within 7 working days, well ahead of target. This renewal service for adult applicants offers the convenience of an online application service 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. I would urge applicants wishing to renew their passports, whether residing in Ireland or overseas, to avail of the online passport renewal service where possible.
The Passport Service operates a counter service in both the Dublin (Mount Street) and Cork offices where applicants who need their passport application processed in timeframes shorter than those offered by the Passport Express and online facility can be accommodated in certain circumstances. The appointment booking service for counter applications and detailed information on all application channels can be found on the Passport Service’s website, www.DFA.ie/passport. The Passport Service strongly advises all applicants to check their passport when making travel plans and to check the Passport Service’s website for the most appropriate channel through which to submit their application.
