Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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45. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made to date on the Passport Service Reform Programme; if the roll-out of the programme is on target; when the programme will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48549/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The ongoing programme of Passport Reform focuses on the future of service delivery by continuing to identify and implement projects to enhance the customer experience and provide for business continuity while maintaining the integrity of the Irish passport.

The first iteration of the Passport Reform Programme ran from 2016 – 2021 and delivered significant customer service improvements to the Passport Service including:

- Delivery of a new online channel for our citizens in Ireland and abroad: This has been transformative in terms of how the Passport Service has managed the increased demand for passports, particularly

with the reopening of travel after Covid-19 peaks. Today, over 90% of all passport applications are now being made through Passport Online. With the efficiencies gained from the online application system, 84% f online adult renewal applications are being processed in three working days or less.

- Development of a Passport Card: This credit card sized travel document fits conveniently in a wallet and allows travel to 30 countries in the EU and EEA.

- Integration with MyGov ID: Passport applicants can utilise the government wide MyGovID as an optional service when applying for their passport.

- Establishment of an Integrity Unit: This dedicated unit was set up to strengthen our anti-fraud capacity, helping to ensure the Irish passport remains one of the strongest in the world.

My Department has recently commenced the second iteration of the Passport Service Reform Programme that will run until 2025. Over this period, the Passport Service will undertake another major programme of reform, change and further enhancements with a number of core projects running in parallel:

- Design and deployment of a new back office passport processing system, including enhanced anti-fraud measures,essential to stabilise and support the improvements that the rollout of the Passport Online Service has already delivered. Procurement for this new system has been completed and the design process is presently underway;

- Redesign and security upgrade of the Irish Passport Book, inline with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendations. This project will include all aspects of the passport production process from passport design, to book/card manufacture, through to personalisation.

- Upgrade of the technology used to prevent and detect fraud in the passport application process to ensure the integrity and continued strong international standing of the Irish Passport.