Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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45.To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on processing times for passport applications at present; the number of applications processed this year; the number currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32164/24]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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46.To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details on current passport processing times across the various categories; and his Department’s current guidance with regard to submitting postal applications. [32408/24]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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50.To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current number of passport applications in processing; the number of passports issued to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32752/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 46 and 50 together.

The Passport Service has issued over 700,000 passports this year, and current demand forecasts indicate that over a million passports will issue by the end of the year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times, with the majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days.

There are currently 114,000 passport applications in the system. However, 56% of these applications are pending further action by the applicant. There are 49,000 complete applications currently being processed by the Passport Service. The number of applications in the system varies on a daily basis as applications are received by the Passport Service and passports are dispatched to citizens.

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

It is important to note that processing times do not begin when the applicant applies online. Processing time is calculated once the Passport Service receives any supporting documents that are required to complete the application.

I encourage everyone to apply online through the Passport Online service which offers citizens the ability to apply for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times over 4 times faster than paper-based passport adult renewal applications. The online service is now available to 99.9% of all applicants around the world, including babies, children and first time applicants.

The Passport Service remains committed to offering a range of application channels, including a paper-based service for citizens who do not wish to use the Passport Online service. Paper applications, by their nature, will always be a slower process. Therefore, the turnaround time for all paper applications is 8 weeks. Passport Service figures show that only 5% of applicants now use the Post Passport channel.

The Passport Service has public education materials, including video tutorials and detailed instructions on the application process, available online: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/. These materials are regularly communicated to citizens via our social media channels.

Additionally, should assistance be required with an application, Customer Service agents are available through phone and webchat services from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. They can be contacted at +353 1 671 1633, or via the WebChat service: www.ireland.ie/contactpassportservice.

I would ask the Deputies to encourage their constituents to apply on time and online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.