Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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70. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the public information campaigns his Department is running to advise of the current backlog regarding passport applications; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many are currently unaware of the significant backlog and that many are complaining that they are unable to contact the Passport Office; and his plans to update the current communications systems in place in the Passport Office. [27902/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Service is currently in its peak season for passport demand with the vast majority of applications being received between February and August each year. So far this year, the Passport Service has received over 500,000 applications. Applications received in the first 5 months of this year have increased by over 8% compared with the same time period last year. The Passport Service is currently processing over 63,000 passport applications. These applications are going through the normal checking, processing and security stages.My Department has an extensive communication strategy to promote good practice amongst passport holders when planning to travel abroad. We regularly advise applicants of 3 golden rules: - to check the validity of the passports in advance of booking travel;

- to apply at least 6 weeks in advance of their travel plans; and

- for eligible adults renewing their passport to consider the Online Passport Renewal Service passport application online facility, which is a fast, secure way for adults renewing their passport.

We promote these and any other relevant messages through various means - the Passport Service website, social media platforms, press releases, posters and leaflets, video material, radio interviews with the Director or staff of the Passport Service and attendance at numerous promotional events.

Regularly updated information on current average turnaround times can be consulted my Department’s website www.dfa.ie/passport. Links to website information on turnaround time are regularly posted on the Passport Service’s various social media channels. Information on available passport services; comprehensive guides to the various application processes and an online tracker that allows applicants to track the status of existing applications at any time can also be found on this website.

In addition, the Passport Service continues to work closely with Communications Unit of An Post to ensure that information on turnaround times disseminated by An Post staff is accurate and up-to-date.

The Passport Service makes every effort to respond to as many applicant queries as possible. In recent weeks, the Passport Service has allocated additional resources to the existing Communications Unit. The Communications Unit is a dedicated customer service team that processes applicant queries received via its phone, email and webchat communication channels. Measures take to improve responsiveness include the assignment of TCOs and the redeployment of experienced staff from across the Department to this unit and the use of targeted overtime.

My Department will continue to work hard to promote important messages relating to passports. I am satisfied that the promotional strategies currently used are the most cost-effective way to reach a wide audience. I am grateful to Deputies for their continued assistance in advising constituents to submit their application in good time before their planned travel date and to consult the Passport Service’s webpage on my Department’s website before applying.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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71. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the staffing levels dealing with passports has increased in the past two years to deal with the high demand. [27896/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In 2017 the Passport Service issued over 780,000 passports. This represents an increase of over 6% compared to 2016 when over 730,000 passports were issued. Over 500,000 passport applications have been received by the Passport Service so far this year. Applications received in the first 5 months of this year have increased by over 8% compared with the same time period last year. The Passport Service closely monitors the volume of applications on an ongoing basis to ensure that resources are available to meet demand. Among the measures taken by the Passport Service to facilitate the management of overall demand and seasonal applications increases are: the recruitment of additional staff; targeted overtime; reorganization of production processes and administrative arrangements and the continuous implementation of service improvements through the Passport Reform Programme.

With particular reference to staff, additional staff have been employed by the Passport Service both on a permanent basis to manage overall demand and on a temporary basis to manage seasonal demand.

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service stood at 322 at the beginning of the year. This compares to 301 FTE staff assigned to the Passport Service at the same point last year and 268 at the same point in 2016. This year, since these figures were released, over 30 additional permanent staff have started with the Passport Service.

The Passport Service received sanction this year for 220 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) for appointment to the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. These TCOs are working together with permanent staff to process passport applications and to deal with the high number of enquiries being made through the Passport Service’s various customer service channels.