Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
606. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to devise a way in which individual passport holders can be advised that their passport requires renewal, close to its expiry date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63728/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra616. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will run a national media campaign to encourage persons to check passport expiry dates ahead of booking holidays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1532/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 606 and 616 together.
Each year the Passport Service proactively plans for the demand forecasted for the following year. Part of this planning involves a public communications strategy carried out by my Department, with a view to ensuring passport demand is manageable throughout the year, by encouraging citizens to apply in plenty of time for their passport prior to travel.
The 2022 communications campaign for passports ran throughout the year over print, broadcast and digital mediums, as well as stadium, event and airport advertising. It included advertisements in national and local radio, as well as advertisements in national press and social media. My Department also issued a press release at the end of 2022, which contained a reminder to citizens to check the validity of their passports and to renew if required. This press release received significant coverage across national media.
My Department is currently rolling out a Digital First media and communications campaign for the Passport Service for 2023. The campaign aims to encourage citizens to check their passport before booking travel, and to apply for their passport online and in plenty of time. This campaign began in December, with digital, print and social media advertisements. Radio advertisements will commence this month, followed by outdoor advertising. All ads will remind citizens to check the validity of their passports before booking travel. The first few weeks of the campaign have already seen a marked increase in traffic to the Passport Service website, compared to the weeks preceding the campaign. The Passport Service will also have a presence at the Holiday World Show in Dublin at the end of January.
The Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential citizen service, including a passport reminder service as part of future system enhancements.
