Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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11. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on passport applications and processing times presently; the number of applications that have been processed to date in 2024; the number that are outstanding and currently waiting to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27266/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Passport Service is in a strong position to deal with the current volume of applications during the busy summer season. As I mentioned earlier, over 625,000 passports have been issued to date.

Passport turnaround times are:

• 10 working days for simple adult online renewals

• 15 working days for complex or child online renewals

• 20 working days for first time online applications

• 8 weeks for Post Passport (paper) applications

There are currently over 130,000 passport applications in the system. 64,000, or 49% of these applications, are with the Passport Service for processing. The remaining 51% are awaiting further action by the applicant before they can be progressed. This means that the Passport Service is waiting for the applicant to submit supporting documents in order to move the application forward.

I would like to highlight some resources that are available to citizens who need to apply for their passport.

• Firstly, the Passport Service offers Urgent Appointments for applicants who need to renew their passport urgently in time for travel. The Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork operate a four-day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants. The Dublin office also offers a one-day Urgent Appointment Service. The number of appointments available has increased this year with 220 one-day appointments now available each week in Dublin and 544 four-day appointments available between Dublin and Cork.
• Secondly, there are very helpful videos available on my Department's website that provide guidance on taking passport photos and completing the identity and consent form for children correctly. I would encourage all passport applicants to watch these videos before applying.