Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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361. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current backlog on new passport applications; the backlog on renewals; and if consideration is being given to purchasing an additional printing machine to be based in County Cork. [4322/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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2022 was an exceptionally busy year for the Passport Service, with over 1,085,000 passports issued. 2023 is set to be a similarly busy year, with 61,386 passports to date.

There are currently 56,000 fully complete applications in the Passport Service system, including 29,000 renewal applications. These applications are not considered outstanding, as they are being processed in line with normal turnaround times.

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.

Thanks to significant investment by the Government, substantial service improvements have been made in 2022. All turnaround times for online applications are now in line with pre-Covid turnaround times.

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.