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

334. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on an FBR application number (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3156/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.

Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.

During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have had a positive impact on the waiting time for applicants. The current waiting time for FBR applications is 11 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.

Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.

Initial supporting documentation for the application to which the Deputy has referred was received on 30 July 2020. The Passport Service contacted the applicant on 27 October 2022 regarding the submission of further required documentation. When this documentation is received, the application can be further progressed.

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

335. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify the FBR applications by date that are being examined at present; the expected completion dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3157/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.

Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.

During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have had a positive impact on the waiting time for applicants. The current waiting time for FBR applications is 11 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022. The Passport Service is currently processing FBR applications that were received in February 2022.

Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.

If it is found that an application requires further supporting documents, the Passport Service will contact the applicant to request these. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.