Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2018
118. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of children who have had their passports renewed since the expansion of online passport services in November 2018, by county, in tabular form. [51821/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service receives applications via a range of channels, including Embassies and Consulates abroad, the Online Passport Application Service, Passport Express service and, by appointment, at the public counter.
The total number of applications for a renewal of child’s passport received worldwide between 28 November and 5 December, the week after the launch of the online renewal service for children, was 683. These applications were from both within and outside Ireland.
The number of children that have applied online, per county, is outlined in the following table.
Applications:
|
ANTRIM |
12 |
|
ARMAGH |
1 |
|
CARLOW |
12 |
|
CAVAN |
3 |
|
CLARE |
15 |
|
CORK |
66 |
|
DERRY |
2 |
|
DONEGAL |
13 |
|
DOWN |
9 |
|
DUBLIN |
157 |
|
FERMANAGH |
1 |
|
GALWAY |
33 |
|
KERRY |
21 |
|
KILDARE |
32 |
|
KILKENNY |
9 |
|
LAOIS |
10 |
|
LEITRIM |
1 |
|
LIMERICK |
19 |
|
LONGFORD |
5 |
|
LOUTH |
22 |
|
MAYO |
8 |
|
MEATH |
24 |
|
MONAGHAN |
4 |
|
OFFALY |
6 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
4 |
|
SLIGO |
5 |
|
TIPPERARY |
10 |
|
TYRONE |
2 |
|
WATERFORD |
11 |
|
WESTMEATH |
11 |
|
WEXFORD |
12 |
|
WICKLOW |
19 |
An online platform for the renewal of adult passports was launched in March 2017 and to-date over 300,000 applications have been received through this channel. In November 2018 this facility was expanded to include children renewals as well as other adult renewal categories (for example applicants requiring a name change, an observation on their passport and those replacing a damaged passport.) As part of this expansion, a passport card is also now available for children. The passport card is valid for travel within the EU/EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland. In the interest of child protection and in order to ensure the highest level of integrity for the passport renewal process, the online renewal of a child’s passport will continue to require that a child’s identity is verified and that the consent of each of the child’s legal guardians is received before a passport is issued.
The Online Passport Application Service is fast, secure and the most convenient way to apply for a passport. It can be used by Irish citizens living anywhere in the world, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The average processing time is less than 10 working days (plus postage time).
I would urge applicants wishing to renew their passports, whether residing in Ireland or overseas, to avail of this service where possible.
