Aidan Farrelly
Ceist:272. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports reported as lost and stolen for each year from 2019 to date in 2026. [10304/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 February 2026
Ceisteanna (272)
Freagraí scríofa
The integrity of the Irish passport is the foremost priority of the Passport Service. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked fourth in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 185 countries.
The loss or theft of passports and passport cards is taken very seriously by the Passport Service as it compromises the safety and security of citizen's personal data and can result in fraudulent activity. The Passport Service ensures that passports reported as lost or stolen are cancelled and notified to Interpol at the earliest opportunity. Once the passport is cancelled and notified to Interpol, it is no longer valid for travel.
The numbers of passports reported as lost or stolen to the Passport Service in each of the years from 2019 to date in 2026, are detailed below in tabular form.
|
YEAR |
LOST |
STOLEN |
|
2019 |
30,415 |
2,834 |
|
2020 |
12,037 |
970 |
|
2021 |
16,803 |
956 |
|
2022 |
34,096 |
2,208 |
|
2023 |
30,345 |
2,393 |
|
2024 |
28,925 |
2,375 |
|
2025 |
32,230 |
2,712 |
|
2026 |
2,877 |
203 |
The figures for this year are up to 05 February 2026.
Where an applicant has reported an passport lost or stolen, the Passport Service may request additional information and documentary evidence to establish and verify an applicant’s identity. Appropriate photographic identification is one of the requirements in cases in which a person seeks to replace a lost or stolen passport. This and other requirements are necessary to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and protect against fraud and identity theft. Where an applicant has lost/stolen two or more passports, the validity of their next passport may be restricted.