Passport Services

Wednesday, 24 June 2026

Questions (130)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

130. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications received from residents of counties Laois and Offaly in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of passports issued to applicants from each county during the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48332/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Passport Service is successfully meeting demand for passports this year and has issued nearly half a million passports to date in 2026.

With regard to the Deputy's query about the number of passports applications received and passports issued to citizens resident in Counties Laois and Offaly, in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, please see the information provided below in tabular form.

PASSPORT APPLICATIONS

YEAR	LAOIS	OFFALY
2023	12,034	10,868
2024	11,659	10,628
2025	8,884	8,134
01/01/26 - 18/06/26	5,201	4,607

PASSPORTS ISSUED

YEAR	LAOIS	OFFALY
2023	11,329	11,059
2024	11,063	11,021
2025	9,800	8,809
01/01/26 - 18/06/26	4,849	4,250

In a given calendar year, the number of passports issued by the Passport Service may be higher than the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service. This difference can occur for two reasons: first, an application for a passport bundle (i.e. a passport book and passport card) is counted as one application but two travel documents are issued from that single bundle application, and secondly, an application may be made in the previous calendar year and issued in the following calendar year.

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.