Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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295. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current wait time for an online passport application; the reason for backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31211/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Service is currently meeting the target turnaround times for Passport Online applications. This is 5 working days for simple applications and 10 working days for complex applications, once the supporting documentation has been received and 20 days for first time applicants. Paper based Passport Express applications are being processed in the target turnaround time of 6-8 weeks. There are currently no backlogs.

The awarding-winning Passport Online service is the cheapest and most convenient way to apply for a passport. It provides a user-friendly process which is available 24/7 to adults and children seeking to renew their passports from anywhere in the world. Applicants in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Europe who are applying for the first time are also eligible to use the Passport Online service.