Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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72. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an application can be expedited for a person (details supplied) regarding a passport application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64054/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.

FBR, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate. Applications are processed in the order in which they are submitted.

Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, it takes approximately nine months to process a fully competed FBR application that requires no further submissions. Processing time begins when all supporting documents are received by the Passport Service, and applications that require further supporting documentation will take longer to process. When the application’s position in the queue is reached, an Entitlement Officer will be in contact with the applicant should any further clarification be required.

With regard to the applications to which the Deputy is referring, the physical application forms and supporting documents have not yet been received by the FBR Unit, therefore the 9 month turnaround time has not yet started. Applications may be expedited if the applicant is stateless. If the applicant is stateless and has no entitlement to any other citizenship, the applicant's parent should contact the FBR Customer Service Team at +353 1 568 3331. Evidence of statelessness must be included with the application.

Should assistance be required with an FBR 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 1 568 3331, or via the webchat service: www.ireland.ie/contactpassportservice