Written answers

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Passport Data

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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117. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of online passport renewals submitted since the launch of the service in March 2017, by county, in tabular form. [51820/18]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The number of online passport renewal applications received since the launch of the service in March 2017, per county, is as follows:

Passport Renewal Applications:

ANTRIM2,767
ARMAGH663
CARLOW2,359
CAVAN2,678
CLARE4,661
CORK20,421
DERRY2,029
DONEGAL6,976
DOWN2,250
DUBLIN66,554
FERMANAGH250
GALWAY10,644
KERRY5,139
KILDARE10,745
KILKENNY3,693
LAOIS2,944
LEITRIM1,105
LIMERICK7,658
LONGFORD1,339
LOUTH5,985
MAYO5,221
MEATH9,006
MONAGHAN2,145
OFFALY2,674
ROSCOMMON2,488
SLIGO2,680
TIPPERARY6,001
TYRONE1,081
WATERFORD4,693
WESTMEATH3,649
WEXFORD6,210
WICKLOW7,349

*Figures from 30 March 2017 to 30 November 2018

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

118. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of children who have had their passports renewed since the expansion of online passport services in November 2018, by county on tabular form. [51821/18]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Passport Service receives applications via a range of channels, including Embassies and Consulates abroad, the Online Passport Application Service, Passport Express service and, by appointment, at the public counter.

The total number of applications for a renewal of child’s passport received worldwide between 28 November and 5 December, the week after the launch of the online renewal service for children, was 683. These applications were from both within and outside Ireland.

The number of children that have applied online, per county, is outlined in the following table.

Applications:

ANTRIM12
ARMAGH1
CARLOW12
CAVAN3
CLARE15
CORK66
DERRY2
DONEGAL13
DOWN9
DUBLIN157
FERMANAGH1
GALWAY33
KERRY21
KILDARE32
KILKENNY9
LAOIS10
LEITRIM1
LIMERICK19
LONGFORD5
LOUTH22
MAYO8
MEATH24
MONAGHAN4
OFFALY6
ROSCOMMON4
SLIGO5
TIPPERARY10
TYRONE2
WATERFORD11
WESTMEATH11
WEXFORD12
WICKLOW19

An online platform for the renewal of adult passports was launched in March 2017 and to-date over 300,000 applications have been received through this channel. In November 2018 this facility was expanded to include children renewals as well as other adult renewal categories (for example applicants requiring a name change, an observation on their passport and those replacing a damaged passport.) As part of this expansion, a passport card is also now available for children. The passport card is valid for travel within the EU/EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland. In the interest of child protection and in order to ensure the highest level of integrity for the passport renewal process, the online renewal of a child’s passport will continue to require that a child’s identity is verified and that the consent of each of the child’s legal guardians is received before a passport is issued.

The Online Passport Application Service is fast, secure and the most convenient way to apply for a passport. It can be used by Irish citizens living anywhere in the world, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The average processing time is less than 10 working days (plus postage time).

I would urge applicants wishing to renew their passports, whether residing in Ireland or overseas, to avail of this service where possible.

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