Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications the Passport Office processed in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current waiting time for a passport; the measures in place to provide emergency passports; the measures being taken to improve the turnaround of passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13178/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The total number of passport applications processed for the period 2010 to 11 March 2013 is detailed as follows:

Demand for passport services is highly seasonal, with almost 50% of applications being received in the four months April – July each year. Therefore the Department employs temporary clerical staff (TCOs) to help the Passport Service meet and improve our turnaround times during this peak. This year 133 TCOs will be recruited and allocated across all offices in the Passport Service.

I am pleased to confirm that all correctly completed applications submitted through the recommended Passport Express service, used by the vast majority of passport applicants within the State, are being processed within the ten day guarantee.

For particular situations which require the applicant to call to a passport office, the Passport Service now operates an appointment system and extended opening hours. This has significantly reduced the incidence of queues and reduced waiting time for members of the public.

In situations of genuine and unforeseen urgency, emergency passports are issued during the week at the passport offices in Dublin and Cork. Additionally, my Department provides a Duty Officer Service outside normal office hours to deal with matters requiring immediate attention, including the issue of passports. Emergency passports permitting travel abroad are issued only in circumstances where the Passport Service is satisfied, on the basis of the application and supporting evidence, that the proposed journey is related to the death or serious injury or illness abroad of a close relative or a medical emergency relating to the applicant him/herself; and the presence of the applicant at the foreign location in connection with such an unexpected event is necessary or highly desirable; and the need to travel has arisen at short notice.