Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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277. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the revenue generated on a daily basis by the appointment service fee for urgent passport appointments since it was launched on 27 September 2021 to date; the revenue for same-day turnround and four to five-day turnaround applications; the number of applications processed through this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60348/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Offices in Mount St, Dublin 2 and in Cork offer an Urgent Appointment Service for the renewal of passports. The Urgent Appointment Service ensures that, for those who unexpectedly require a very urgent turnaround of a passport renewal, there is an option available that is transparent, predictable and clear. It means that an applicant can book and pay for their appointment, safe in the knowledge that they will have their passport within a day, or a few days. Over 1500 urgent appointments have been facilitated since the Passport Service launched this service in Dublin on 27th September 2021 and in Cork on 26th October 2021.

To avail of the Urgent Appointment Service for Passport Renewal, applicants must first book an appointment to attend the public office in Dublin or Cork. Applicants can book an appointment through the Department of Foreign Affairs website (www.dfa.ie/passports). The Passport Service is following public health guidelines in relation to this service in order to protect the health and safety of customers and staff in our public offices and will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.

The following fees for an Urgent Appointment with the Passport Service apply:

The fees were approved by the Oireachtas in 2019 in Statutory Instrument No. 259/2019 Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations. All income from the Passport Service are Appropriations in Aid for Vote 28 and are fully accounted for in the annual Appropriation Accounts. This income is not offset against expenditure.

Total Revenue by Appointment Type from 27 September 2021 to 1 December 2021

Total daily revenue figures from the public Passport Offices in Mount Street, Dublin 2 and in Cork are outlined in the table below. These figures include the Urgent Appointment Service fee and the Passport fee.