Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

641. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to hire further staff in the Passport Office in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20115/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, there has been a surge in passport applications in recent months. Between 1 January and mid-April, over 290,000 applications were received, representing an increase of 19% over the same period last year.

The Passport Service has recruited 230 Temporary Clerical Officers to respond to the seasonal demand and the more general increase in passport applications.

The vast majority of these officers are already in place. The Passport Service has also been assigned a number of permanent Clerical Officers over recent months and we will continue to keep staffing levels under careful review to ensure that the impact of any further increase in demand on turnaround times and on service is minimised.

The Deputy will be aware that I launched a new Online Passport Application Service for adults renewing their passports on 30 March. This new service will greatly assist in managing increased volumes of applications in the months and years ahead and in meeting target turnaround times. It allows citizens to renew their passport books and cards online twenty four hours a day, seven days a week from wherever they are in the world. The service removes the requirement to have a form witnessed and is a fast, secure and convenient way to renew a passport. The target turnaround time is ten working days plus postage time. I would urge all Deputies to encourage all eligible applicants to use this channel .