Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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481. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27264/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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It is best practice to apply for a passport at least six weeks in advance of the intended date of travel.

Applicants are advised that the Passport Express channel operated in partnership with An Post is the most convenient and cost-effective channel.

Turnaround times can vary and applicants using Passport Express are advised to allow 15 working days for renewal of passports and 20 working days for new applications (due to additional requirements).

Currently, passport application turnaround times are under ten working days for both first-time applications and renewals.

Turnaround times are updated weekly and are available at www.passport.ie.

As of 26 September there were 10,574 applications in the system.