Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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1253. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a passport application (details supplied) for a foal out of the mare, submitted in June 2024 to Horse Sport Ireland. [10893/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The issue of individual passport applications is a matter for Horse Sport Ireland.

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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1254. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of significant delays in processing equine passport applications; the number of outstanding 2024 applications for equine passports; the average processing time for applications; and the steps being taken to address delays, given the impact on equine sales and exports. [10894/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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There are seven Passport Issuing Organisation (PIOs) within the State approved by my Department to issue equine passports.

I am aware that there have been delays with the issuing of passports by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), which is one of the approved PIOs, following the introduction of an ‘E-Passporting System' which is called 'HorseSource’.

Officials in my Department are in regular contact with HSI and my Department has been informed by HSI that they have introduced a number of measures to assist in reducing the backlog and that continuous improvements are being made.

I understand that HSI expects a significant reduction in overall processing times from 40 working days in 2024 to 28 working days in 2025.

Regarding 2024 applications, I understand from HSI that, on the 7th March 2025, there were 1,513 applications outstanding on the HorseSource IT system and 26 applications from prior to the introduction of the IT system. Of these, approximately 700 applicants have not returned the required sampling kits. The remaining applications are in various stages of processing.

While the issuance of passports is a matter for each PIO, I am aware of the impacts that delays can cause and I have instructed my officials to continue to work closely with HSI to ensure that commitments for the 2025 season are delivered upon.