Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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294. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade why persons of over 80 years of age pay the full €89 for a passport; and if he will reduce the cost for them. [3651/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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In 2011 the Government decided in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the arrangement whereby persons over the age of 65 could avail of a reduced passport fee.

The annualised fee for a standard ten year Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €8.60 for a French passport, €9.50 per year for a British passport, €10 per year for an American passport and €16.40 per year for an Australian passport.

Given that the shortfall in revenue would have to be met by the taxpayer I do not have any plans to reduce the fee charged to older applicants at this time.