Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 October 2021
114. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current waiting list for passport applications for applicants resident in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51423/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 2,192 passport applications from County Wicklow on hand with the Passport Service. All passport applications are processed based on date of receipt and application type irrespective of country or county of origin.
The current Passport processing turnaround times are:
10 working days for Simple Adult renewals,
15 working days for Complex renewals,
40 working days for First Time applications on Passport Online and
8 weeks for applications received via AN Post’s “Passport Express” service
Almost 45% of passports for simple adult renewals continue to issue within one business day while more complex applications take longer.
The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high demand for first time passports. In order to protect the integrity of the Irish Passport, such applications require careful processing to validate the identity of the applicant and their entitlement to Irish citizenship for the first time. Additionally, in the case of children, consent of all guardians, must be validated.
In line with our continued scaling up of services, the Passport Office in Mount Street resumed its Urgent Appointment Service for renewal of Passports on Monday, 27 September 2021. This service is available to people who unexpectedly require their passport renewed at short notice and opt for this fee-based service to do so. To avail of this service, members of the public can visit my Department's website at www.dfa.ie/passports and book an appointment to attend the public office in Mount Street, Dublin 2. The service is available for two types of appointment: same-day turnaround and four-day turnaround. A fee applies to the appointment service, relative to how quickly a passport renewal is required.
The Passport Service continues to maintain its emergency service for those who require a passport for a medical emergency or death of a family member abroad.
