Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the waiting time for a passport applied for through the online renewal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12701/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The award-winning online passport application service for adults was launched in March 2017 and offers the convenience of an online application system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Irish citizens anywhere in the world, without the need for application forms, printed photos or witnesses

The target turnaround time for applications made via the online passport application service is 10 working days plus postage. The vast majority of online applications are currently being processed within 7 working days, well ahead of target. At present, the online service only accommodates adult renewals and passport card applications. It is planned to further extend the online passport application service to all renewals by the end of 2018.

I would urge applicants wishing to renew their passports, whether residing in Ireland or overseas, to avail of the online passport application service where possible. I am grateful to Deputies for their continued assistance in advising constituents to visit the Passport Service’s webpage on my Department’s website (www.dfa.ie/passport) before applying, and to sign up for our passport renewal reminder service at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/reminder/passport/.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the waiting times for a passport applied for through the Passport Express service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12702/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Service is currently processing an exceptionally high volume of applications. From 1 January – 14 March, the Passport Service received over 198,000 passport applications in total, an increase of 7% on the same period last year. The average turnaround time for renewal applications submitted through An Post Passport Express currently stands at 16 working days. The Passport Service is doing everything possible to reduce the processing times for all types of application and to assist people as far as possible that are travelling soon.

I am pleased to say that over 20 permanent staff have recently joined the Passport Service to address the increased demand for passports from Irish citizens worldwide. Further, the Passport Service is also this year employing over 220 temporary clerical officers to assist in processing applications during peak season. I wish to reassure the Deputy the Passport Service monitors the volume of applications on an ongoing basis to ensure that resources are available to meet demand.

The target turnaround time for applications made via the online passport application service is 10 working days plus postage. The vast majority of online applications are currently being processed within 7 working days, well ahead of target. At present, the online service only accommodates adult renewals and passport card applications. It is planned to further extend the online passport application service to all renewals by the end of 2018. I would urge applicants wishing to renew their passports, whether residing in Ireland or overseas, to avail of the online passport renewal service where possible.

The Passport Service operates a counter service in both the Dublin (Mount Street) and Cork offices where applicants who need their passport application processed in timeframes shorter than those offered by the Passport Express and online facility can be accommodated in certain circumstances. The appointment booking service for counter applications and detailed information on all application channels can be found on the Passport Service’s website, www.DFA.ie/passport. The Passport Service strongly advises all applicants to check their passport when making travel plans and to check the Passport Service’s website for the most appropriate channel through which to submit their application.