Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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5. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to escalate a passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37998/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Passport Service has issued over 855,000 passports to date this year. All passport applications are subject to the requirements of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. First-time applications are the most complex applications due to the necessary checks involved to verify the identity and citizenship status of the applicant. The turnaround time to complete first-time online applications is 20 working days.

The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked third in the Henley Global Passport Index, as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries. Accordingly, there is a rigorous checking process in place for first time applications.

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the applicant previously held an Irish passport, however this passport expired more than five years ago. An application for a passport renewal can only take place within five years of the currently held passport being expired. If a renewal application is made more than five years after expiry of a passport, the passport application is treated as a first time application.

The Passport Service received the documents for this application on 13/08/2024. As it had been more than five years since the applicant’s previous passport had expired, this application was processed as a first time application.

A request for submission of a new photo was sent to the applicant by the Passport Service on 13/09/2024 and received by the Passport Service on 13/09/2024. It is important to note that turnaround times for applications that require supporting documents begin from the date the Passport Service receives the supporting documents are received. Online applications for which additional photos are requested are processed within a maximum of 10 working days of the receipt of the new photo. The issue date for this first time application is 27/09/2024, which is well before this applicant’s travel date.

The Passport Service has public education materials, including video tutorials on taking a passport photo and detailed instructions on the application process, available online, at www.ireland.ie/passportsphotos. These materials are regularly communicated to citizens via our social media channels.

There are a variety of reasons why an applicant may be require a submit new photo's for their passport application. For online applications new photos, if required, are submitted via a link that is emailed to the applicant. New photos can also be requested by the Passport Service where they do not meet the requirement for a passport.