Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 28: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications issued during the 2010-11 period on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23049/11]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 29: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff working in the passport office during 2010-11 on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23050/11]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 30: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of days holidays taken by staff in the passport office during 2010-11 on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23051/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 to 30, inclusive, together.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The total number of passport applications received in the period 1 January to the end of August 2011 was 546,382. This contrasts with 540,110 for the same period in 2010 and 504,524 from 01 January to the end of August 2009. 2011 demand represents a 1.2% increase over 2010, a year in which very significant demand over this period arose during a time of industrial action in the Passport Service, and an 8% increase in demand over 2009.

Passport Application Demand by Month

The Passport Offices in Molesworth Street, Balbriggan, Cork and London are currently staffed approximately as follows: 1 Principal Officer; 2 Assistant Principal Officers; 12 Higher Executive Officers; 52 Executive Officers/Staff Officers; 251 Clerical Officers; 6 Services Officers and 4 cleaners. The number of sanctioned posts has remained static since an additional 127 permanent posts were sanctioned by the Department of Finance in July 2006. However, the actual number of staff varies considerably depending on the time of year with up to 85 temporary staff engaged during the period March-August 2011 compared with a figure of 52 for 2010. The total number of days annual leave taken up to the end of August 2011 was 5,504 which contrasts with 5,669 for the same period in 2010.

Passport Service – Annual Leave by Month