Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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151. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the various procedures governing the application for and issuing of passports including emergency standard application or other categories; if adequate resources are available to meet the demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12373/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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All passport applications are issued in accordance with the Passport Act 2008. In processing the application, the Passport Service has to establish the identity of the applicant and their entitlement to citizenship under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act.

The Passport Service offers a number of ways for applicants to submit their application. The applicant must select the service which will ensure their passport will be returned in time for any planned travel. Applicants with no immediate travel plans should submit their application through the An Post Passport Express Service. The Passport Express channel is the cheapest and most convenient option for applicants and is available at post offices nationwide.

Applicant travelling in three weeks or less must make an appointment to attend the Passport Office in Dublin or Cork in person. Appointments can be made online using www.passportappointments.ie.

Applicants with urgent travel within three days, can use the Rapid Renewal Service at the Dublin Passport Office. Appointments for this service are made using the online appointments system. Appointments for this service become available online at 12.30 pm the day before the appointment. Passports using this service are usually ready for collection after 3pm on the same day.

Terms and conditions for using the appointments system are contained online and applicants should ensure they are familiar with them before presenting at their appointment.

In the event of sudden bereavement or serious illness of a family member abroad, the applicant should contact the Passport Office and advise them of the issue. The Passport Service gives top priorities to these application. They will make arrangements for the applicant to attend the relevant Passport Office. In all such cases, the Passport Service will require proof of the emergency. In the event that such an occurrence should happen out of office hours, the applicant should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on +353 1 4082000 and request to speak to the Duty Officer. The Duty Officer will advise the applicant in full of the correct procedure.

Overall passport applications are up almost 13% this year so far over last year which is exceptional, with over half of all applications for passports being received in the busy season between April and July.

A total of 223 Temporary Clerical Officers have been recruited so far this year which is an increase of 39 officers on last year. In view of the sustained increase in applications over last year processing work has been redistributed across passport offices in recent months and staff re-deployed from other areas of the Department as needed to respond to the increased workload. The Passport Service will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the effective deployment of staff resources. Clearly, if the increase in demand is sustained at current levels, we will need to review resources.

I strongly recommend that citizens check their passport validity before booking holidays or business travel and apply for the service which will ensure passports arrive in good time. The key points for citizens, are to:

- check the validity of passports before booking a holiday,

- to remind that children’s passports vary in length of validity

- follow best practice and apply at least six weeks before the intended date of travel

- choose the most appropriate application channel depending on the date of travel.