Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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17. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Cork Passport Office is set up for the printing of passports; the measures that are being taken to ensure that there are no delays in first-time passport applications for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48979/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of Passport Online in 2017 has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing, resulting in greater efficiencies for the Passport Service and our citizens. Passport Online is the quickest and easiest channel for passport applicants. Passport Online is used by over 90% of applicants and is available to 97% of applicants worldwide. Currently, 84% of online adult renewals are issued within 3 working days or less.

Thanks to significant investment by the Government, substantial service improvements have been made in 2022.

Since March, the turnaround time for first time online applications has been reduced by 50% to 20 days. All turnaround times for online applications are now in line with pre-Covid turnaround times.

Staffing numbers in the Passport Service have doubled since June 2021 and there are currently 828 staff. New office space in Balbriggan is now open, bringing the capacity of the Balbriggan campus up to over 500.

I am confident that the staffing and accommodation measures implemented, along with other improvements, will have a positive impact on passport processing times for 2023, particularly for first time applications.

The Passport Service operates three passport printing machines, two of which are located in the main production facility at the Balbriggan campus and the third in the Passport Office in Dublin 2. Each passport printer has a printing capacity of 250 passports per hour.

The Cork office can facilitate a four day turnaround for urgent renewal appointments and the immediate issuance of an emergency passport in situations of genuine urgency such as a medical emergency or a bereavement abroad.

In terms of purchasing a new printer for the Cork Passport Office or any proposed regional office, there would be considerable financial implications to consider.

I am satisfied overall that the current production capacity meets the needs of passport applicants. While there are no current plans to install a printing machine in the Cork office, the Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance customer experience.