Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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155. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current processing times for passports through the normal application process and through passport express; the number of passports that have been processed to date in 2017 and that are being processed currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8985/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The processing times for passport applications is updated weekly on the Passport Service website, www.passport.ie. Depending on the category of application, different processing times will apply. Renewal applications, submitted through the Passport Express service are currently taking an average of 15 working days while first-time applications are taking an average of 19 working days. For people who have no immediate travel plans, Passport Express is the cheapest and most convenient method of applying for a passport. Applications may be submitted through the network of post offices in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Applicants who are travelling in 15 working days or less are advised to submit their application, by appointment, at the public counter in Dublin or Cork. An appointment can be made by logging on to www.passport.ie.

As part of the Passport Reform Programme a new online service will be launched in the coming months for adults, whether they are based in Ireland or overseas. The introduction of the online service will result in reduced turnaround times and greater convenience for applicants as well as significant efficiencies for the Passport Service.

The number of passports processed from 1 January to 17 February this year was 75,850, and the number of passport applications currently in process is approximately 60,000.