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Passport Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Ceisteanna (273)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

273. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff employed by the Passport Office by grade and month since January 2019; if the office will be taking on summer staff to deal with the current backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34430/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.

The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace that the commitment made to clear all applications on hand at the end of April within 6-8 weeks is on target to be met. Simple Adult Renewals continue to be processed within 10 working days.

The Passport Service currently employs 463 staff. The full breakdown of the Passport Service staff by grade and by month since January 2019 will be supplied to the Deputy.

The Passport Service engages in robust workforce planning on an annual basis in cooperation with the Public Appointments Service. The Passport Service must remain in full compliance with the Work Safely Protocol which sets out obligations for employers and workers to put Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

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