Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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80. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons waiting to have passport applications processed through the Passport Office; the present turnaround time for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14216/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Service is currently processing over 70,000 passport applications. These applications are going through the normal checking, processing and security stages. The target turnaround time for applications made via the online passport application service is 10 working days plus postage. The majority of online applications are currently being processed within 5 working days, well ahead of target. The award winning online service currently accommodates adult renewals and passport card applications and it is planned to further extend this service to other categories of 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. The average turnaround time for renewal applications submitted through Passport Express is currently 14 working days, one day ahead of the target turnaround time of 15 working days. Other types of application submitted through Passport Express, such as first time applications or applications to replace lost, stolen or damaged passports take longer due to additional security checks.

The Passport Service operates a counter service in both the Dublin and Cork public 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 counter service is by appointment only. Applicants wishing to make an appointment should visit passportappointments.ie

In recent weeks we had higher than average turnaround times for some categories of application owing to high application volumes and disruption caused by adverse weather conditions and the subsequent closure of the Dublin and Cork passport offices for 2 days. However, as outlined, the turnaround times have considerably reduced and in many cases are now shorter than the published target times.

My Department continues to closely monitor the level of passport demand to ensure that all resources are effectively deployed. Additional measures taken by the Passport Service include the recruitment of additional staff and the use of targeted overtime.