Written answer
Passport Services
24. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the average processing times for passport applications in County Mayo over the past 12 months; the steps being taken to reduce delays during peak periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49865/26]
Comment on this
The Passport Service is meeting high demand for passports and has issued almost half a million passports to date in 2026.
The advertised passport processing times for applications are:
• Online simple adult renewal - 10 working days
• Online child/complex adult renewal - 15 working days
• Online first time, adult or child - 20 working days
• Passport Assist - 6 weeks
Domestic applications, including those from County Mayo, are being processed well within advertised turnaround times. There has been an increase in demand for first time applications from international applicants and the Passport Service has increased resources to meet this level of demand.
The Passport Service continually reviews its internal processes along with levels of demand on a daily basis and offers overtime to staff when necessary to meet demand, avoid delays and prevent backlogs.
My Department engages in comprehensive workforce planning and workload management processes, based on forecasted demand for passports. My Department is implementing this year's staffing plan so that excellent customer service is maintained throughout periods of peak demand.
The Passport Service currently employs a total of 839 staff, which represents 98% of the approved staffing target for this year.
The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four-day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants. The Dublin office also offers a one-day Urgent Appointment service.
In the event of sudden bereavement or serious illness of a family member abroad, an applicant can contact the Passport Office and advise them of the issue. Priority is given to these applications by the Passport Service.
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., and can be contacted at +35316711633, or via the WebChat service: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/contact-us/.