Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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524. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of pending foreign birth registrations for minor children; the average processing times by applications based on having an Irish citizen parent, applications based on having a parent who is an Irish citizen through naturalisation and applications based on having a grandparent born here, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17253/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The total number of Foreign Birth Registration applications submitted on behalf of minors that are waiting to be processed by the Passport Service is 7,176. A breakdown of this figure is set out in the table below.

My Department operates a clear and transparent general policy of processing FBR applications in order of receipt. However, we will consider urgent requests to expedite an application on a case by case basis. During Level 5 restrictions, applicants can make contact with the Passport Service through the WebChat service.

The delivery of the FBR service has been paused under Level 5 restrictions of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19 since 24 December 2020. This service will resume to full operations once Level 3 restrictions of the Framework are in place. However, it should be noted that given the loss of output in this service due to Level 5 restrictions in the last year and given the continued large volume of applications received over this period, it is anticipated that it will take approximately eighteen months to process applications.

The Passport Service is planning to increase resources, once the service is resumed, to clear all arrears and to make efforts to return to a six month processing time.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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525. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of pending foreign birth registrations for minor children being processed by the Irish Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria; the average processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17254/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department processes Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications within the Passport Service in Ireland, rather than at individual Missions as was previous practice. The transfer of this work was completed in December 2020. There are currently 49 applications under process with addresses in Nigeria that have been submitted on behalf of minors.

My Department operates a clear and transparent general policy of processing FBR applications in order of receipt. However, we will consider urgent requests to expedite an application on a case by case basis. During Level 5 restrictions, applicants can make contact with the Passport Service through the WebChat service.

The delivery of the FBR service has been paused under Level 5 restrictions of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19 since 24 December 2020. This service will resume to full operations once Level 3 restrictions of the Framework are in place. However, it should be noted that given the loss of output in this service due to Level 5 restrictions in the last year and given the continued large volume of applications received over this period, it is anticipated that it will take approximately eighteen months to process applications.

The Passport Service is planning to increase resources, once the service is resumed, to clear all arrears and to make efforts to return to a six month processing time.