Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A total of 230 extra temporary staff are being employed. More than half this figure are already in office and all will be in place in the coming weeks. I expect online renewal to be introduced in the next couple of months. In the meantime, the An Post passport express channel will remain fully functional. This is an important service for An Post, especially in respect of the work and busyness or otherwise of post offices throughout the country, in particular rural post offices.

By 2019, as part of the overall long-term passport reform programme, it is envisaged that all applications will be enrolled via the online platform. I assure Deputies that all decisions relating to the reform of the passport service are informed by the strategic objectives of the Government, including the need to ensure we have a first-rate service for our people.

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