Written answers

Wednesday, 24 November 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Passport Services

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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82. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason breastfeeding does not constitute emergency medical grounds for a passport to be issued to an infant (details supplied) whose parent needs to travel to undergo surgery abroad. [57688/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Travel Emergency service is available to citizens in cases of medical emergency or death of a family member abroad. Proof of emergency is required to avail of this service. First time passport applications are essentially applications for Irish citizenship and, as such, require very rigorous evaluation. First time applications for children are generally expedited through the Travel Emergency service only when there is evidence of the need for urgent and time-sensitive medical treatment for the child in question. In the case of documented urgent medical treatment overseas for a breastfeeding mother, the Passport Service similarly will assist the mother to travel accompanied by their breastfed child.

With regard to the specific application raised by the Deputy, the Passport Service has communicated the Travel Emergency policy to the family involved. The Service is awaiting submission of documentary evidence of urgent medical treatment for the mother in this case.

Photo of Marian HarkinMarian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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83. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application of a person (details supplied) [57692/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant's parent.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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84. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo on time for their travel plans in view of the fact that the estimated issue date has been reached. [57809/21]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo on time for their travel plans in view of the fact that this application was received in the Passport Office on 11 September 2021. [57810/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

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