Written answers

Thursday, 15 July 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Passport Services

Photo of Duncan SmithDuncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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245. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will take steps to expedite a passport application by a person (details supplied) which was submitted many months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38916/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Passport applications are only valid for six months primarily due to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations on the requirement for a recent photograph. The ICAO is a UN specialised agency which defines in detail the required format for a passport.

Where additional documentation has been requested and has not been received within this timeframe, these applications are cancelled. This timeframe also ensures that a refund of the fees can be processed electronically where required. If the refund is not made electronically within six months then it can take up to 12 months to process a refund by bank transfer.

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, an official from the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant on 14 July 2021. The application has been refunded and the applicant has been invited to submit a new application.

In the event that any applicant has urgent or emergency reasons for requiring a passport, they should contact the Passport Service’s Customer Service Hub, by WebChat, to make the Passport Service aware of their situation.

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