James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

273. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine and expedite a passport application by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27219/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

280. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27236/22]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

290. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be expedited. [27349/22]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

298. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to urgently provide the status of the passport renewals of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27484/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

302. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27496/22]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

320. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will process in time for intended travel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27578/22]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

328. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when passport applications will be processed for siblings (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27711/22]

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

335. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27773/22]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

337. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27858/22]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

340. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed on time for their travel plans given that this application was received by the Passport Office on 8 April 2022. [27874/22]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

354. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport for a person (details supplied) will issue. [28015/22]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

360. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when supporting documents received by the Passport Office on 20 May 2022 will be attached to a passport application for a minor (details supplied) considering that this passport is required for travel on 20 June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28115/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

363. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when passports will issue in the case of a family (details supplied) who have had their holiday booked since January 2020 and who are due to travel on 24 June 2022; if their applications will be expedited to issue ahead of their travel date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28166/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

With regard to the specific applications about which Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant or their guardian. 

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

274. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27222/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

275. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27223/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

276. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27224/22]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

277. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the passport of a child (details supplied) will issue given that it has been estimated for issue since 21 April 2022 and the family are travelling in the coming days. [27226/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

278. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27234/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

279. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27235/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

281. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27237/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

282. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27238/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

283. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27239/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

284. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27240/22]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

285. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine and expedite the passport application of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27264/22]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

286. 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. [27270/22]

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

288. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of passport applications of two children (details supplied) which were due to issue on 17 May 2022; if all the required documentation was received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27310/22]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

297. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will expedite a passport renewal application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27469/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

304. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the travel date of the family is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27498/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

305. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the travel date of the family is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27500/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

306. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and travel date of the family is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27501/22]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

308. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport of a child (details supplied) will issue. [27507/22]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

309. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of passport application by a person (details supplied) which is now over three weeks past its target issue date; the reason it is not processed and printed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27517/22]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

310. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport (details supplied) will issue. [27518/22]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

315. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if passports will issue for a family (details supplied) in time for their travel date on 22 June 2022 and posted to their home address in County Derry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27541/22]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

317. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a child passport application will issue in time for a person (details supplied) living in Strabane travelling on 31 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27543/22]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

318. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue on time for a person (details supplied) in County Tyrone who has rescheduled their travel date to 11 June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27544/22]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

321. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport for a child (details supplied) will issue in time for travel date in June and posting to home address in County Derry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27579/22]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

323. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will issue in time for their intended travel date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27608/22]

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

327. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27708/22]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

338. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the steps that a person (details supplied) can take in view that they cannot locate their passport application number and therefore are not able to check the status of the passport application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27859/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

341. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27889/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

342. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27890/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

343. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27891/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

344. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27892/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

345. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27893/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

346. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27894/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

347. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27895/22]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

348. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27896/22]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

352. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application (details supplied). [27989/22]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

359. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue to a child (details supplied) in view of the fact that this application is with the Passport Office since the 29 January 2022 and it has passed the estimated issue date. [28108/22]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

361. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be processed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28123/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 276, 274, 275, 277, 278, 279, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 288, 297, 304, 305, 306, 308, 309, 310, 315, 317, 318, 321, 323, 327, 338, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 352, 358, 359 and 361 together.

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

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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287. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a passport application by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the person receiving their passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27284/22]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

289. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department will cancel a passport application (details supplied) which will allow for the resubmission of an application by this person. [27345/22]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

312. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a person (details supplied) will be refunded from November 2021. [27533/22]

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

353. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport anomaly in the case of a child (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27992/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 287, 289, 312 and 353 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the applications, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant to advise them of the status of their application. 

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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291. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current average processing time from receipt of additional requested information to the issuing of a passport for first-time applications, via online and via post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27368/22]

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

292. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the turnaround times for passport applications that are processed through the Passport Express facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27381/22]

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

293. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the turnaround times for paper passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27382/22]

Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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331. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the average length of time that persons were waiting for passport applications to be processed, for online and paper applications systems respectively, in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27721/22]

Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

332. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the average waiting time for passports in relation to new-born children receiving their first passport; the average waiting time for other children receiving their first passport; the average waiting time for children receiving renewal passports; the average waiting time for adults receiving first passports; the average waiting time for adults receiving renewal passports, 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27722/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 291, 292, 293, 331 and 332 together.

The current average processing times for passport applications are as follows:

The current processing time for paper based applications submitted through the An Post "Post Passport" service (previously known as Passport Express) is 8 weeks. The An Post "Post Passport" service is the only paper-based passport application service available to citizens in the State. Processing time applies to fully complete and correct applications. Incomplete applications will take longer to process.

In cases of incomplete applications, where the Passport Service requires further supporting documents from the applicant, such as a new photo, consent form or a birth certificate, the Passport Service will contact the applicant or their guardian and advise them of what is required to complete their application. A new document management system was introduced in March of this year to ensure that once these additional documents are received, applications are prioritised and processed within 15 working days. This processing time applies to applications, both online and paper-based, that require additional supporting documents.

The Passport Service is proactively managing the current demand for passports and has put in place resources and structures to address the significant increase in demand for passports in 2022 in this essential citizen service.

Over half a million passports have been issued so far this year. Last year, 634,000 passports were issued in the whole year. In less than five months, the Passport Service has issued over 80% of the total number of passports that were issued in the whole of last year.

The Passport Service is already out-performing any previous year, despite the challenges that it has encountered over the past two years. In 2019, which was the busiest year for passports pre-Covid, the Passport Service had issued 445,000 passports by the third week of May. In the same time period this year, over 520,000 passports have been issued.

99% of all child and adult online renewal applications are issued within the standard turnaround time and almost half of all adults who renew their passports online will receive their new passport in the post within 2 working days. This compares very favourably with passport services internationally.

Since March, processing times for first time applications have already been reduced by 25% and applications now take 30 working days rather than 40 days. From Monday, 6 June, it is hoped that, based on current trends, this processing time will decrease yet again to 25 working days for first time applications. That means that, in the space of three months, processing time for first-time applications will have been reduced by almost 40% as a direct result of the substantial level of investment that the Department has made in the Passport Service.

The Passport Service have been proactively planning for this significant increase in demand for many months and have made an unprecedented investment in the staffing and resources necessary to meet this demand.

First time applications for newborn babies, children and adults are all treated the same and are processed within the processing times outlined above depending on whether they are online or postal applications.

The average processing times for passport applications in 2019, 2020 and 2021 are outlined below in tabular form.

2019 and 2020 (prior to Covid-19 restrictions)

2021

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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294. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current number of outstanding passport applications for children under thirteen years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27409/22]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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295. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current number of passport applications that remain outstanding for children aged 13 years and under in the State as of 23 May 2022; the plans there are to clear any backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27414/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together.

As of 23 May 2022, there were 58,400 online passport applications in the Passport Service system for children aged thirteen and under. 

Over half a million passports have been issued so far this year. Last year, 634,000 passports were issued in the whole year. In five months the Passport Service has issued over 80% of the total number of passports that were issued in the whole of last year.

The Passport Service is already out-performing any previous year, despite the challenges that it has encountered over the past two years. In 2019, which was the busiest year for passports pre-Covid, the Passport Service had issued 445,000 passports by the third week of May. In the same time period this year, over 520,000 passports have been issued.

99% of all child and adult online renewal applications are issued within the standard turnaround time and almost half of all adults who renew their passports online will receive their new passport in the post within 2 working days. This compares very favourably with passport services in countries such as the UK and United States where passports can take several weeks and sometimes even months to be processed.

The Passport Service is experiencing a very high volume of applications and is currently processing over 25,000 applications per week.  While the numbers of applications in the system is high, there is a continuous stream of new applications coming in and a dispatch of completed passports being sent out every day.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Passport Service have been proactively planning for this significant increase in demand for many months and have made an unprecedented investment in the staffing and resources necessary to meet this demand.

Since March, processing times for first time applications have already been reduced by 25% and applications now take 30 working days rather than 40 days. From Monday, 6 June, it is hoped that, based on current trends, this processing time will decrease yet again to 25 working days for first time applications. That means that, in the space of three months, processing time for first-time applications will have been reduced by almost 40% as a direct result of the substantial level of investment that the Department has made in the Passport Service.

The Passport Service has been scaling up resources to deal with anticipated demand since June of last year. A major recruitment drive, in partnership with the Public Appointments Service, has been underway over the past several months. This has seen the number of Passport Service staff increase by 344 since June 2021.

In addition, the Passport Service has run its own recruitment competition for Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs). The interviews have concluded and TCOs recruited from this competition are being assigned on a weekly basis. The first group began work on Monday, 23 May. This recruitment effort will bring staffing numbers at the Passport Service to over 900 which represents double the number of staff with the Passport Service in June of last year.

Intensive training of new staff and upskilling of existing staff has been underway for several months to increase the resources that can process complex applications, such as first time child applications.

The Passport Service continues to implement further measures to deal with increased demand on its services:

- The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan to ensure that adequate staff, accommodation and technology supports are in place to meet expected demand for passports in 2022.

- The Passport Service has released video tutorials with a view to assisting applicants to complete their application correctly. These videos will be shared on social media and will include instructions on submitting consent forms for child applications properly.

- The Passport Service is prioritising first time applications and directing increased resources to processing these complex applications with a view to reducing the current turnaround time. Passport Service staff are working targeted overtime in this regard.

- The Urgent Appointment Service is available for customers who wish to renew their passport at short notice. Customers availing of this service can renew their passport within 1 or 4 days in Dublin, within 4 days in Cork and within 5 days in London.

- A new document management system was put in place at the beginning of March. This aims to improve the processing speed in the Passport Service offices, and subsequent turnaround times for the applicant. One particular feature of the new system improves the processing time for applicants who have been asked to submit additional documents. Once the additional documents are received, they are being prioritised and complete applications can then be processed in 3 weeks. This significantly reduces the processing time, particularly for first time applicants.

- Public information media campaigns reminding citizens to check and renew their passports will continue during this busy year.

- There is an updated Department of Foreign Affairs website, which includes a new Passport Service section where applicants can easily find out what additional documents are required for their type of application.

I am confident that the measures that have been implemented will help to reduce passport turnaround times in the course of 2022 and will assist the Passport Service in meeting the high demand forecast for this year.

I strongly urge anyone who is considering travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply for their passports online in plenty of time.