Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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150. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to open a Passport Office in the west of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14283/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Passport Service is pursuing a Digital First strategy and promoting Passport Online as the quickest, most convenient and least expensive channel for applicants. This has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing resulting in greater efficiencies for the Service and for customers. The majority of Passport Service operations take place at the newly expanded Balbriggan Campus that now has capacity for 500 staff.

Following a strategic media and communications campaign that was rolled out in December, the Passport Service received over 148,000 applications in January, the second highest figure on record. 92% of these applicants applied online. The Passport Service has issued over 230,000 passports to date in 2023.

Passport Online is available to 97% of applicants around the world regardless of whether they are first time applicants or are renewing their passport. Passport Online has been hugely successful and over 90% of applicants from around the world now apply for their passport online. This has significantly reduced the number of applicants who need to visit the Post Office or the Passport Offices in Dublin or Cork to apply for their passport.

Currently, 100% of calls to the Customer Service Hub are being answered and customers can easily access the information they need through the Hub. My Department has implemented a staffing plan to ensure that excellent customer service is maintained during periods of peak demand.

The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants. The Dublin office also offers a one day Urgent Appointment service. Currently, about 1% of all passport applications are processed through the public offices in Dublin and Cork.

In considering any expansion of existing services, a number of criteria are examined including the efficiencies that would be gained, whether the proposed expansion would improve the overall quality of the service and whether the potential benefits of expanding the service would justify the significant costs involved. Any expansion of services would need to consider the potential demand for an in-person Urgent Appointment service given the efficiencies built-in to Passport Online and in light of the efficiencies of the online renewal service.

Any proposed expansion would also need to complement the Passport Service's Digital First strategy.

In view of the fact that the overwhelming majority of passport applicants apply online and the considerable benefits of Passport Online for all of our citizens, the Department is of the view that a business case cannot currently be made for opening any additional passport office.

The Passport Service continuously considers ways that it can improve its service to all citizens regardless of where they live and regularly reviews the range of passport services on offer while also strategically planning to respond to future needs.