Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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142. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding processing times for passports, both renewals and new applications, in view of the fact that it is now coming into the busy holiday period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30252/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Service is working very hard to manage the high volume of applications being received in recent months to meet the target delivery dates.

There are 61,000 applications currently being processed. The target turnaround time for Passport Express renewal applications is 15 working days and this is being met, as it has over the past six weeks. The target turnaround time for first-time applications and applications for renewal of lost, stolen or damaged passports through Passport Express is 20 working days. These categories of application take longer due to the extra security checks involved. This target turnaround time is also currently being met (down from 24 working days as of 19 June).

The Deputy will be aware a new online passport application service was launched at the end of March this year. As take-up of the Online Passport Application Service increases, it will considerably enhance overall passport processing efficiency and contribute to reducing turnaround times for all channels. Since the launch over 38,000 passport applications were received through this channel which is well ahead of target. The target turnaround for this service is ten working days plus postage and in the majority of cases this target is exceeded comfortably. I therefore urge all Deputies to encourage adults who are renewing their passports to do so online.

In addition to the 300 full time permanent staff already allocated to the Passport Service, since January 2017 almost 230 Temporary Clerical Officers have been assigned to the Passport Offices in Balbriggan, Mount Street and Cork.

Targeted overtime for the Passport Service has also been sanctioned to increase processing capacity.

It is very important that applicants choose the most appropriate application channel, depending on their individual circumstances. Passport Express should only be used by those who are travelling in three weeks or more. Anyone renewing a passport who needs to travel in under three weeks should either apply online or by appointment at the Passport Office in either Dublin or Cork.

Further, I urge all Deputies to encourage citizens to register for the free passport renewal reminder email service provided by my Department at the following web address: .