Niamh Smyth
Question:154. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to review an application and escalate same (details supplied). [33646/26]
View answerThursday, 7 May 2026
Questions (154)
Written answers
All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 ("the Act"). Under Section 14(1) of the Act, the consent of a child's guardian(s) must be given before the Passport Service can issue them a passport.
In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and the rights of the child and their guardian(s), it is important that the Child Identity and Consent form is correctly completed, witness and validated by the Passport Service. Guardians must be present to the person acting as a witness.
The processing time for a first time passport application is 20 working days. Turnaround time applies to applications that are fully complete and correct, and begins from the date that supporting documents are received by the Passport Service. The turnaround time does not begin from the date the online application is made. Applications that are incorrect or incomplete will take longer to process.
Since 2022, the Passport Service has operated a document management system whereby incomplete applications that require further supporting documents are prioritised once the additional documents are received by the Passport Service. These applications are then processed within 15 working days.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents were received by the Passport Service on 27/03/2026. Additional supporting documents were requested by the Passport Service on 28/04/2026 and received by the Passport Service on 30/04/2026. Therefore, this application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage their constituents to apply online, well in advance of their travel date, for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.