Passport Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026

• Díospóireachtaí
• Aimsigh díospóireacht
  • Díospóireachtaí na Dála
  • Díospóireachtaí an tSeanaid
  • Díospóireachtaí Coiste
• Aimsigh vótáil
  • Vótálacha na Dála
  • Vótálacha an tSeanaid
  • Vótálacha Coiste
• Ceisteanna Parlaiminte
  • Ceisteanna scríofa
  • Ceisteanna ó bhéal
• Leideanna cuardaigh
• Nuair a bhíonn tionchar tromchúiseach ag aithrisí

Thursday, 25 June 2026

Ceisteanna (212, 213, 214)

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

212. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the new IT system currently used by the Passport Service was first rolled out across the service. [48599/26]

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

213. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost incurred by the Passport Service in the development, procurement, implementation, and operation of the new IT system. [48600/26]

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

214. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the new IT system used by the Passport Service has experienced any outages, shutdowns, or significant service disruptions; and if so, the number of such incidents to date and their duration. [48601/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 213 and 214 together.

The Passport Service replaced its legacy processing system in December 2025. The previous processing system, APS, was in place since 2004. Despite continuous upgrades and technical patches, this system was no longer fit for purpose. The new system, turas, has been built using modern technology and with the future in mind, anticipating increases in passport and foreign birth registration applications over its lifetime. It is significantly easier to upgrade and make changes to the new system, making it more agile as legislation and Department policy changes occur.

Since the deployment of the new service there have been a number of scheduled, out of hours system upgrades. These upgrades are schedule so as to cause minimum disruption to the normal operations of the Passport Service.

There have been no significant service disruptions during this time. The time taken for each upgrade is between two and four hours in duration. In addition, there have been two pre-planned service outages that occurred over weekends to implement the changes necessary for the introduction of our new passport book and card at the end of June.

Question No. 213 answered with Question No. 212.

Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 212.

• An Freagra Roimhe Sin
• An Chéad Fhreagra eile