Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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39. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on a query regarding a passport application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55050/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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40. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether she has undertaken, or intends to undertake, a review of the documentary requirements for passport applications made on behalf of a child by a widowed or bereaved parent who is the child's sole surviving guardian; whether consideration is being given to accepting evidence of sole guardianship on the initial passport application only, with subsequent passport renewals not requiring a further solicitor-signed affidavit unless there has been a material change in circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55196/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I fully recognise the difficulties the current process may present for bereaved families and the Passport Service seeks to be as sympathetic and supportive as possible in assisting bereaved parents throughout the application process.

In terms of the process in place, where a child's guardian is deceased, the Passport Service requests the original death certificate of the deceased guardian and a Sole Guardian Affidavit from the surviving guardian confirming that they are the only guardian of the child.

When one guardian is deceased, it may not always be the case that the surviving parent is the only guardian of the child. For example, a guardian can, in a will or deed, appoint someone else to be a testamentary guardian after he or she dies. In addition, step-parents or other family members may have acquired guardianship of a child following the death of a parent. In order to protect the rights of children and their guardians, the Passport Service needs to confirm each time that it has the consent of all relevant guardians before it can issue a passport.

The Passport Service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for applicants and has met with Widows and Bereaved Parents Ireland to discuss their concerns. The Passport Service is currently reviewing its processes relating to the documentary requirements for children of deceased parents.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 as amended (“the 2008 Act”), which provides the legal basis for the policies and practices that are applied by the Passport Service.

Following the Gender Recognition Act, 2015, (“the 2015 Act”), which provides a legal right to a person to have their preferred gender formally recognised by the State, passport applicants should provide a Gender Recognition Cert (GRC) from the Department of Social Protection with their passport application.

Regardless of where they reside, where a passport applicant is changing their name on the basis of a GRC issued by the Department of Social Protection under the 2015 Act, the Passport Service does not require two years’ proof of use of their new name.

For a passport renewal applicant, the following original documents are requested:

• Original GRC as issued by the Department of Social Protection.
• Current Irish passport.

• Witnessed identity verification form.
• Original GRC as issued by the Department of Social Protection.
• Original Civil Birth certificate as re-issued after gender recognition (if available).
• Proof of address such as Government correspondence such as a letter from the Department of Social Protection or the Revenue Commissioners.
• Proof of name such as Government correspondence such as a letter from the Department of Social Protection or the Revenue Commissioners.
• Photographic identification such as a copy of a Public Services Card or certified copy of a driver's licence.

• A statutory declaration declaring that the applicant has a settled and solemn intention of living in the new gender for the rest of his or her life and understands the consequences of the application.
• If changing name, two documents showing usage of the new name over two years.
• Current Irish passport.

• Witnessed identity verification form.
• A statutory declaration declaring that the applicant has a settled and solemn intention of living in the new gender for the rest of his or her life and understands the consequences of the application.
• Original Civil Birth certificate (showing parents' information - this is a key document to establish citizenship)
• Proof of address such as original utility bills, or bank statements or Government correspondence.
• Photographic identification such as a an original passport from another country or a certified copy of driver’s licence.
• If changing name, two documents showing usage of the new name over two years.