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

62. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine and expedite a passport application for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34637/22]

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

67. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [34682/22]

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

68. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if passport applications by persons (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34693/22]

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

69. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine and expedite a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34695/22]

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

78. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine and expedite a passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34964/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

80. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport applications (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34969/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

82. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent [34973/22]

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

84. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue to a child (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this application is with the Passport Office since 1 April 2022 and this child has imminent travel plans. [34993/22]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 67 to 69, inclusive, 78, 80, 82 and 84 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date.

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

63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine and expedite a passport application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34638/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

71. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34727/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

72. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34730/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34745/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

74. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34755/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

79. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport applications (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34967/22]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 71 to 74, inclusive, and 79 together.

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

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

64. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if passport applications by citizens of Northern Ireland are processed any differently from applications by Southern citizens; if these applications are viewed as non-domestic applications that in turn take longer to process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34640/22]

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

All online applications are processed in the same way and this includes all applications from throughout Ireland, North or South.  Renewal applications, because citizenship has already been established, are processed within the same turnaround time of 10 working days for adult renewals and 15 working days for child/complex renewals.  Therefore, there is no difference in processing renewals between those applicants with addresses in Northern Ireland or the State.  

First time applications are more complex due to increased complexity around the documentation required to confirm the person's identity and entitlement to citizenship.  First time applicants resident within the State must have their identify and consent forms witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána.  A log of such applications is maintained by An Garda Síochána which allows for a streamlined verification process.  First time passport applicants resident outside the State, including Northern Ireland, can avail of a broad range of witnesses for this purpose and these witnesses must be thoroughly verified by Passport Service staff.

First time applications from outside the State, including Northern Ireland, can also be more complex due to the variety of documentation received from other jurisdictions.  Officers processing these applications must therefore be highly skilled and experienced. As a result of these factors, processing time for these applications can take longer. However, the vast majority of all first time applications are processed within the current turnaround time of 25 working days. This turnaround time has been reduced by 40% since March. 

It is expected that the additional staff that have recently been assigned to the Passport Service will result in a further reduction in turnaround times for first time and complex applications, including those from Northern Ireland. Turnaround time applies to fully complete and correct applications. Applications which are incomplete and require further supporting documents will take longer.