Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

On 2 July, 59,452 applications were in the system, representing a reduction of more than 8,500 applications in the backlog since the middle of June. I am conscious that the level of passport applications in the system remains excessively high. However, one contributory factor is the exceptional demand for passports this year. To date, passport demand is running at 13.8% higher than this time in 2009.

Passport service staff continue to work overtime to assist in keeping the number of applications in the system to a minimum. Recently, 50 additional temporary staff commenced work in the service and are working with permanent staff members to clear the backlog. These measures alone have allowed for more than 68,000 additional passport applications to be examined over and above those considered during normal hours. I am also prepared to recruit additional temporary staff if necessary.

I fully accept that the current service is less than satisfactory and is not of the standard that the public has been used to and is entitled to expect. However, the effects of the prolonged period of industrial action and the increased demand have made it difficult to return immediately to the excellent service normally offered by the passport service. However progress is being made. The service has re-introduced a guaranteed turnaround time for passport applications. Applications submitted via the passport express service - Swiftpost in the Republic and NIPX in the North - available through local post offices are now guaranteed to be processed within 20 working days. This guarantee will be kept under review and it is intended that time required will reduce over the coming weeks. The new guarantee turnaround time will help re-establish trust in the operation of the service.

A new service to prioritise applications for those with immediate travel plans has also been introduced. Applications with proof of travel are guaranteed to be processed within three working days. Applicants should make contact with the passport service and provide this proof where applicable. An additional fee may apply in respect of such new and urgent applications, as was the case before the dispute. This is the fastest turnaround time for all applications except for those whose travel is required for urgent humanitarian reasons. While clearing the backlog will take some time, every effort is being made to minimise the inconvenience to the travelling public.

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