Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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16. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the staff numbers employed by the passport service in each of the years from 2020 to 2024, inclusive; the steps being taken by his Department to reduce the turnaround times for a decision on first-time and renewal passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4446/25]

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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23. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of first-time and renewal passport applications received in each of the years from 2020 to 2024, inclusive; the number of applications approved and passports issued over the same period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4449/25]

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I want to congratulate the Minister and Minister of State on their appointments. I want to inquire about the staff numbers employed by the passport service in each of the years 2020 to 2024, inclusive, and the steps being taken by the Department to reduce the turnaround times for a decision on first-time and renewal passport applications. I would also like to know the number of first-time and renewal passport applications received in each of the years 2020 to 2024, inclusive, and the number of applications approved and passports issued over the same period.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 23 together.

I congratulate Deputy McCarthy on his election to Dáil Éireann. I very much look forward to working with him constructively. I am pleased to tell the Deputy that the passport service is an excellent position to deliver the demand forecast for the rest of the year. Ensuring that we have enough staff to respond to demand is a key priority for my Department and is kept under constant review. The number of officers employed by the passport service from 2020 to 2024, inclusive, on 31 January for each of these years, is as follows: in 2020 there were 615 staff employed; in 2021 that dipped to 465 staff; in 2022 there were 723 staff; in 2023 there were 742 staff; and in 2024 there were 789 staff.

The passport service is well-staffed for this year, with 825 officers, a significant increase in staffing. In recent months, 61 officers have been assigned to the Passport Office in Balbriggan, 41 officers have been assigned to our Dublin 2 offices and the Deputy will be pleased to know that 12 officers have been assigned to the Passport Office in Cork. An additional 50 members of staff will be assigned later this month and into next month to ensure that the passport service is fully staffed to meet demand throughout the year.

With regard to the Deputy's query on turnaround times, the passport service, I am pleased to say, is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times well-ahead of target and no backlogs. Passport turnaround times are ten working days for simple adult online renewals, 15 working days for complex or child online renewals, 20 working days for first-time online applications and eight weeks for Post Passport paper applications. It is important to note that processing times do not begin when the applicant applies online. Processing time is calculated once the Passport Office receives any supporting documentation - it is important to note it can only process the application when it has the documentation it needs.

With regard to the Deputy's questions about the number of first-time and renewal passport applications received in each of the years 2020 to 2024, inclusive, in the interests of time, I might send that information to him in writing. In 2020, there were 118,827 first-time applications, which rose to 276,574 in 2024.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome staff increases and a reduction in the turnaround times for a passport. Many people have been in touch with me regarding passports during my time as a councillor and now as a Deputy. While things can sometimes be very touch and go in respect of whether people can travel on time, I have always found the passport service very accommodating when it can be. Does the Department hire additional staff at peak times of potential demand for passports, such as during Easter break or the summer holidays?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. The short answer is that we do. We are trying to get to a sustainable position where we do not see peaks and troughs, but rather a consistent, good and high-quality service with turnaround times that are at least in line with the office's expectation. I am pleased to say that at the moment, the times are ahead of expectations. Of course, and I say this respectfully to all of our constituents and the people of Ireland, people can help us by checking their passports before booking foreign travel and trying to apply in plenty of time.

Things can happen in anybody's life, including the need for people to travel urgently for a variety of reasons, sometimes very tragic reasons. We have processes in place to help people in Dublin and Cork with those in-person appointments. There are a number of slots available each day.

That would be a source of assistance to the Deputy's constituents, too.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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With a certain number of passports printed in the Passport Office in Mount Street, Dublin, and the majority processed in the printing facility in Balbriggan, is the Tánaiste considering the possibility of establishing another printing service in the Cork Passport Office? This would greatly benefit those attending the Cork Passport Office rather than the Dublin one and reduce the burden on the other offices in the capital.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The short answer is we will keep this under review. I am pleased to see that so many applications are being made online. Regardless if someone lives in Cork, Dublin or anywhere else in this great country, he or she is able to apply for a passport. More than 93% of applications came that way last year and people can get passports in a time-efficient manner.

In terms of the office we have in Cork, which plays a valuable part, we will continue to keep under review any additional infrastructural supports for it.