Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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72. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of applications with consent form errors submitted online and those submitted via passport express by the reason for the errors for example, witness not answering a verification telephone call, incorrect occupation listed for witness, consent form signed in the incorrect place and so on in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59637/21]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a record is kept of the verification of supporting documents for passport applications in respect of children; if a record and log is kept of the telephone calls made by the passport office to witnesses on consent forms; if it is possible for this information to be supplied to applicants, parents and guardians on request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59638/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.

Under Section 14(1) of the Passports Act 2008, the consent of a child’s guardian(s) must be given before the Passport Service can issue them a passport.

The Passport Service does not currently record the incidence of errors in consent forms at the important checking and validation stage. The focus is always on the verification of consent which is vital to protect the integrity of the passport itself and the rights of the child and the guardians.

The Passport Service records verification of consent on the passport applicant's individual file. Applicants can request a copy of their passport application from my Department. 

The Passport Service monitors and seeks to improve issues that arise for applicants during the online and paper based passport application process. The Passport Service advises applicants during the online application process to make sure that the consent form is correctly witnessed once they have completed the online process.

The Passport Service provides instructions on how to correctly complete these forms on the Department's website (www.dfa.ie/passports/how-to-get-your-application-witnessed/).

In addition to this, the Passport Service maintains a close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and regularly offers training and guidance to Gardaí on the correct completion of the required identity and consent forms.