Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2023
81. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied with the turnaround processing times given on his Department’s passport website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4442/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThanks to significant investment by the Government and the dedicated work of the Passport Service staff, substantial improvements have been made during 2022 and all passports are being issued within the advertised turnaround times.
The current processing times are as follows:
Online adult renewal - 10 working days
Online child/complex renewal - 15 working days
Online first time application - 20 working days
Post Passport via An Post - 8 weeks
Passport Online is available to all applicants across the globe for renewal applications. This year saw the further expansion of Passport Online for first time applicants across the globe and this is now available to first time applicants in over 50 countries. Over 90% of applicants now apply through Passport Online.
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 commenced this month, which will be followed by outdoor advertising in early February.
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 245% increase in traffic to the Passport Service website, compared to the weeks preceding the campaign. The Passport Service also had a presence at the Holiday World Show in Dublin last weekend.
The Passport Service has issued over 61,000 passports to date this year. There are currently 56,000 fully complete applications in the Passport Service system. These applications are not considered outstanding, as they are being processed in line with normal turnaround times.
