Written answers

Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Passport Applications

8:00 pm

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports issued in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the amount of revenue collected by issuing passports in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17497/11]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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A breakdown of passports issued and total passport income is appended for the years 2008 – 2010 and 2011 year to date.

YearPassports IssuedPassport Income
2008576,617€29,721,000
2009572,783€31,872,000
2010603,753€33,122,000
2011 to 24 June300,319€18,499,000

Photo of Tom BarryTom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current waiting time for processing a passport application. [17513/11]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Due to a surge in demand, the turnaround time for passport applications received through the Passport Express service is between 11 and 14 working days. It normally takes 10 working days. The Passport Express service is available for passport applications lodged in Ireland only. Notice of the current extended turnaround time and its likely duration has been published on the Passport Service website www.passport.ie since 18 April 2011. The Passport Office has also informed An Post so that customers can be advised of the situation at the point of application.

Applications made by ordinary post do not have a guaranteed turnaround service and are currently taking over 6 weeks to be processed.

During the peak summer period, application processing times can lengthen for all passport applications. In such circumstances, priority continues to be given to applications made through the Passport Express Service. The Passport Service regrets the delay and any difficulties caused in this regard. Measures have been taken with the recruitment of temporary staff and the use of overtime to return current turnaround times back to standard service levels at the earliest opportunity.

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