I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 to 58, inclusive, together.
The monthly figures requested by the Deputy for parliamentary questions and calls to the Oireachtas Passport Line are outlined below in tabular form. In addition, a table outlining the number of representations received by the Passport Service in relation to passport applications is also included.
The Passport Service does not track the number of urgent passport query forms received as these can be received through multiple channels, including as attachments to representations and to parliamentary questions.
In response to the high volume of applications being submitted to the Passport Service, a temporary phone line was established in October 2021 to respond to Oireachtas Members' queries on urgent passport cases.
In each case raised by an Oireachtas Member, the Passport Service reviews the application in question. However, applications can only be expedited in cases of genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad. Such applications are expedited through the Travel Emergency service.
In cases where the estimated issue-by date has passed and the application is fully complete, the Passport Service will prioritise the application to ensure that no further delay is experienced.
Parliamentary Questions relating to individual passport applications
2021
|
PQs received
|
January
|
13
|
February
|
8
|
March
|
19
|
April
|
18
|
May
|
21
|
June
|
26
|
July
|
71
|
August
|
0
|
September
|
86
|
October
|
70
|
November
|
92
|
December
|
39
|
2022
|
|
January
|
29
|
February
|
73
|
March (to date)
|
174
|
Passport Service Oireachtas Line Calls and Queries
Date
|
Calls Handled
|
Total Number of Queries
|
October 2021
|
407
|
807
|
Nov 2021
|
1197
|
1504
|
Dec 2021
|
1099
|
1390
|
Jan 2022
|
1033
|
1360
|
Feb 2022
|
1689
|
2686
|
As of 25 March 2022
|
1181
|
1856
|
Representations related to passport applications
Date
|
Number of representations received
|
2021
|
|
January
|
300
|
February
|
200
|
March
|
160
|
April
|
259
|
May
|
311
|
June
|
257
|
July
|
1672
|
August
|
1777
|
September
|
2262
|
October
|
2506
|
November
|
1686
|
December
|
1074
|
2022
|
|
January
|
2371
|
February
|
2630
|
As of 25 March 2022
|
2371
|