Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the way the Passport Office implements its customer service charter, which states that the office is committed to providing effective assistance based on each individual's circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21361/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Passport Service provides a range of application channels designed to accommodate individual applicants’ circumstances. These channels include online, postal and in-person options. In order for the Passport Service to provide the most effective assistance possible, applicants are advised to select at the outset the channel that best suits their particular needs. The online passport application service, which I launched on 30 March, offers a convenient, fast and secure way for adult citizens resident anywhere in the world to renew their passports through their computer, tablet or smartphone. The turnaround time for this service, provided applications are in order, is just ten working days plus postage time. Passport Express offers a further convenient means for applicants throughout the island of Ireland to submit applications through local post offices and have their passports delivered by express post. The turnaround time for this service is currently 16/17 working days for standard passport renewal. As advised on my Department’s website and on Passport Express receipts, first-time applications and applications for renewal of lost/stolen passports take longer due to the more extensive checks on entitlement and identity involved.

Current average turnaround times for online and Passport Express applications are updated weekly on the website of the Passport Service, , and applicants are advised on notes accompanying the application form to consult these before submitting an application.

Individuals whose travel plans do not allow sufficient time for a passport to issue via these channels are catered for by the passport appointments service available at the Passport Offices in Cork and Dublin. The Passport Service also assists those with extremely urgent travel plans through the Rapid Renewal Service, which allows for passports to be issued (subject to certain terms and conditions) within just one working day regardless of the reason for travel.

It should be noted that in a documented case of immediate family bereavement or medical emergency abroad, the Passport Service will (subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008) accommodate an individual who needs a passport by taking an application without appointment at the public office in either Cork or Dublin or by expediting an application that is already in the system.

There are currently in excess of 80,000 applications in the system, and the Passport Service endeavours to issue passports as swiftly as possible in a way that is fair and equitable to all citizens. In the interests of both fairness and operational efficiency, applications are processed in order of receipt according to the channel through which they were submitted. Genuine emergency cases are, as outlined, given priority. I am satisfied that this approach, which allows flexibility in the most urgent cases, is the most effective and equitable way for the Passport Service to assist all citizens.

I am grateful for Deputies’ assistance in encouraging applicants to familiarise themselves with current average turnaround times at , to allow plenty of time for processing, and to avail of the appropriate application channel at the outset.