Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12291/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Service has paused the processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19.

The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency and urgent service. The emergency service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires emergency medical treatment. The urgent service also assist citizens who are resident abroad who require a valid passport for visa purposes or citizens who require a renewal for work purposes. The Passport Service continues to process all renewals for work-related travel where evidence is provided.

First time applications can only be processed in cases of emergency. With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, an official from the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant’s mother on 1 March to offer general advice in relation to the first time application process during Level 5.