Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
436. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an applicant cancels an online passport application and makes an appointment with the Passport Office for the application to process in time for intended travel date, if the appointment will be honoured and the processing of the application facilitated; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52876/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the operation of the Passport Service public offices was necessarily restricted due to public health measures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Passport Office in Mount St, Dublin 2 and the Passport Office in Cork are now offering an Urgent Appointment Service for the renewal of passports.
To avail of the Urgent Appointment Service for Passport Renewal, applicants must first book an appointment to attend the public office in Dublin or Cork. Applicants can book an appointment through the Department of Foreign Affairs website (www.dfa.ie/passports). This is a limited service and slots are allocated by appointment only on a first come, first served basis.
The Passport Service offers two types of appointment and a fee applies to this appointment service relative to how quickly the applicant requires a passport.
1. Same day renewal service. These appointments can be booked 3 days in advance.
2. Four day renewal service. These appointments can be booked 3 weeks in advance.
The Urgent Appointment Service ensures that, for those who unexpectedly require a very urgent turnaround of a passport renewal, there is an option available that is transparent, predictable and clear. It means that an applicant can book and pay for their appointment, safe in the knowledge that they will have their passport within a day, or a few days.
Applicants who have already submitted a passport application through Passport Online cannot book an appointment through the Urgent Appointment Service. If an applicant books an appointment and they already have an application submitted through Passport Online, their appointment will be cancelled and the fee will be refunded. Their online application will continue to process in line with current turnaround times.
Applicants who wish to cancel their online passport application can do so by contacting the Passport Service Customer Service Hub by telephone or by webchat and indicate that they wish to cancel their online application. Once their online application reaches the appropriate stage of the process, the deciding officer will confirm with the applicant that they wish to proceed with the cancellation. These applications cannot be expedited ahead of applications where a passport will issue. Once the online application has been cancelled, an appointment can be made through the Urgent Appointment Service.
The current turnaround times for processing online passport applications are 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals and 15 working days for Complex and Children’s renewals. Almost 45% of passports for simple online adult renewals issue within one business day, while more complex applications take longer.
The Passport Service also provides an emergency service for those who require a passport for a medical emergency or death of a family member abroad. Citizens who require a passport in an emergency situation should contact the Passport Service Customer Hub on 01.671.1633 or via Webchat on the Department's website (www.dfa.ie/passports).
