15,000 online passports applications under process

CALLS have been made for the re-opening of the passport office in Dublin, as more than 15,000 online applications are under process for people living in the capital, reports Mary Dennehy.

According to information provided following a number of Parliamentary Questions, the Passport Service has issued around 375,000 passports to date in 2021.

The number of applications in the system as of July 22 was approximately 112,000, of which 50,000 were incomplete applications, with the Passport Service awaiting further documentation.

Dublin is the county with the highest number of online applications in the system, which as of June 22 was recorded at 15,250.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the average time currently for adult renewals through Passport Online is 10 working days, with complex renewals, including children, being 15 working days.

The timeframe for first time applicants online is 40 days.

Passport Express, which are postal applications, resumed processing on 19 July, with the current estimated turnaround time for these applications being eight weeks.

However, the average processing or wait time for a new passport can vary depending on a number of factors.

While acknowledging that inroads have been made in clearing the Covid-19 passport application backlog, Dublin South-West TD, Sean Crowe believes that it’s now time for the passport offices in Dublin and Cork to re-open.

According to the Sinn Fein Deputy, many people have queries around their application, especially if it’s an emergency application or for a child.

“I think it’s time now for the opening of the passport office, there are some emergency situations where applicants need to speak with an individual,” Deputy Crowe told The Echo.

“I’d be calling for the passport office to re-open.

“Lots of people aren’t familiar with the online system, particularly for some of the more difficult or exceptional cases.”

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the public offices in Dublin and Cork are closed to allow all staff to work on processing passport applications.

The Department added: “Customers should not attend our public offices as they will not be able to speak to a member of staff or submit documents.

“In the event that any applicant has urgent or emergency reasons for requiring a passport, they should contact the Passport Service’s Customer Service Hub, by phone or WebChat, to make the Passport Service aware of their situation.”