Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
279. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports issued by her Department in each of the years 2019 to 2025, and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40202/26]
View answerThe Passport Service is meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 400,000 passports to date in 2026.
The Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. The percentage of applicants using Passport Online has increased from 93% in 2025 to 96% to date in 2026.
With regard to the Deputy's query about the number of passports issued during each of the years 2019 to date in 2026, please see the data below in tabular form.
|
YEAR |
PASSPORTS ISSUED |
|
2019 |
936,554 |
|
2020 |
450,327 |
|
2021 |
659,269 |
|
2022 |
1,087,173 |
|
2023 |
954,627 |
|
2024 |
1,061,629 |
|
2025 |
933,121 |
|
to 21 May 2026 |
402,013 |
I would ask the Deputy to encourage their constituents to apply for their passports through Passport Online. In particular, those who are travelling this year, especially families with young children who require their first passport, should apply online and in plenty of time. The Passport Service advises citizens to ensure their passports are valid before booking holidays and travel.
