Guirke voices concern about passport backlog

Deputy Johnny Guirke has expressed deep concern at the failure of the government to put in place provisions to address the backlog of approximately 112,000 passport applications which are currently outstanding, including almost 700 from Westmeath.

Deputy Guirke said: “The backlog in processing passport applications is down to the failure of the government to put in place sufficient supports for the passport service during this the busiest time of the year. There can be no doubt as to the effort that the staff and management in the passport service are putting in to deal with both the backlog accrued over Covid, and the deluge of applications coming forward at this point, which is the peak period for passport applications.

"According to figures revealed to the Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs John Brady, there are currently around 112,000 applications with the Passport Service. Some 50,000 of these applications require additional documentation, while a further 62,000 applications are sitting with the Passport Service. In County Meath there are 2058 applications waiting to be processed and 685 applications in Westmeath.

"This despite passport service staff working long hours, and in some cases, on Saturdays and Sundays to attempt to deal with a growing workload. But the reality is that, during normal times there is a core staff of 450 in the passport section, which is increased during the peak period by a total of 200 to a total of 650. But at present staff numbers are significantly reduced, with only about 500 personnel in total being left to deal with demands.

"I am calling upon the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, as the individual who bears the ultimate responsibility for his department, to ensure that there are sufficient staff on hand to deal with demand at this time. The responsibility lies with Minister Coveney, and he must act accordingly,” Deputy Guirke said.