Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
229. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department records or monitors repeat requests for documentation from passport applicants; if so, to provide any available data on the frequency and reasons for such requests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34199/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service is meeting the current level of demand for passports. The majority of passport applications such as adult renewal applications do not require any supporting documents from applicants and these can be processed within 1-2 working days from the date the applicants makes their online application.
First time applications and applications for children require the submission of supporting documents in order for the Passport Service to verify the identity and citizenship entitlement of the applicant, as well as the consent of all guardians to the issuance of a passport to a child.
First-time applications are the most complex to process as they are, in essence, a verification of Irish citizenship. As such, a rigorous process is in place to validate the identity of applicants and to confirm their citizenship status. Part of this process is the verification of original documentation.
Under Section 14(1) of the Passports 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, witnessed and validated by the Passport Service for both first time and renewal applications for children. Guardians must be present to the person acting as a witness.
If an application is incomplete and further documents are required to validate the applicant's citizenship, identity and/or consent of guardians, the Passport Service will contact the applicant directly to request submission of these documents. These applications cannot progress until the application is fully complete and correct.
The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. 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 Passport Service continually works to enhance the service and support customers in submitting a correct application. A number of improvements have been made to the Passport Online platform over the past three years, including a bespoke list of the supporting documents required for passport applicants. When using Passport Online, the information provided by applicants is used to generate a custom coversheet that will provide the applicant with a bespoke list, in plain English, of the documents that they must submit as part of their application.
Should assistance be required with an application, Customer Service agents are available by phone and webchat services from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. The Customer Service Hub can be contacted at +353 1 671 1633, or via the WebChat service: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/contact-us/.
The Passport Service also has public education materials, including video tutorials and detailed instructions on the application process, available online: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/.
In cases where further supporting documents are required from the applicant, every effort is made to let the applicant know as soon as possible. These requests for additional supporting documents are recorded on the applicant’s passport application. 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.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply or 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.
