Passport Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2022

Wednesday, 26 October 2022

Ceisteanna (97)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

97. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the systems that are in place in for people with disabilities who find it extremely difficult to get a photograph taken, to meet Department standards when applying for a passport; if there is not a system in place, the reason; if this issue was ever raised at committee level, if not, the reason for same; if this issue was raised, the reason that a system was not implemented to cater for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53725/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Passport Online website has been designed to be very accessible. In cases where passport applicants have a medical condition or disability that means that the standard passport photo guidelines cannot be met, the Passport Online service offers a medical indicator option when submitting a digital passport photo.

When applying online, passport applicants can tick the medical indicator box on the passport photo page. This allows the photo to pass through the system as part of the application process. The passport photo submitted will then be reviewed by a member of the Passport Service staff and the applicant will be contacted directly if anything further is required.