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Passport Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024

Tuesday, 9 April 2024

Ceisteanna (35)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

35. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of emergency appointments available with the passport service; by location, by month in the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14848/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports to date this year. The majority of simple online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.

The Passport Service strongly encourages Irish citizens to use the Passport Online service as the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to apply for a passport. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.

The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four-day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants. The Dublin office also offers a one-day Urgent Appointment service.

As of 19 March 2024, an additional 55 appointments per week have been made available to applicants seeking the same-day turnaround passport service in the public office in Dublin.

Renewal applicants who have already submitted a passport application either through Passport Online or Post Passport can book an urgent appointment and visit the Passport Office to apply for a passport. Once a passport has been issued, their original application will be cancelled and the fee will be refunded.

Further information on the Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants is available at www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/urgent-appointment/.

In the event of sudden bereavement or serious illness of a family member abroad, the applicant should contact the Passport Office and advise them of the issue. Priority is given to these applications by the Passport Service. In the event that such an occurrence should happen out of office hours, the applicant should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs on 01 408 2000 and request to speak to the Duty Officer. The Duty Officer will advise the applicant in full of the correct procedure. In cases of travel emergency, the Passport Service will require proof of the emergency. Please note that the Urgent Appointment service became available in 2021. The number of urgent appointments available with the Passport Service, by location and by months in 2021 to date are outlined below in tabular form.

2021

Dublin Same Day

Dublin Four Day

Cork Four Day

September

44

352

0

October

231

462

96

November

484

264

528

December

242

484

468

Dublin

Cork

Year Total - Location

2563

1092

2021 Grand Total

3655

2022

Dublin Same Day

Dublin Four Day

Cork Four Day

January

220

440

456

February

440

570

480

March

462

735

504

April

418

665

456

May

462

735

504

June

462

735

966

July

462

735

966

August

506

805

1012

September

462

735

1012

October

440

700

920

November

506

805

1012

December

462

735

920

Dublin

Cork

Year Total - Location

13697

9208

2022 Grand Total

22905

2023

Dublin Same Day

Dublin Four Day

Cork Four Day

January

693

1113

966

February

627

1007

920

March

726

1166

1012

April

594

954

828

May

462

735

1012

June

462

735

966

July

693

1113

966

August

726

1166

1012

September

693

1113

966

October

693

1113

966

November

506

805

1012

December

462

735

874

Dublin

Cork

Year Total - Location

19092

11500

2023 Grand Total

30592

2024

Dublin Same Day

Dublin Four Day

Cork Four Day

January

726

1166

1012

February

660

1060

920

March

715

494

874

Dublin

Cork

Year Total - Location

4821

2806

2024 Grand Total

7627

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