James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an overview of the passport service for Cork applicants in 2023; how many passports issued to applicants from Cork and how this compared to 2022; the number of outstanding applications for passports currently awaiting processing for Cork applicants at the end of 2023 and how this compared to the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3392/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports. All turnaround times are at or well-ahead of target and there are no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days.

Over 1 million applications were received by the Passport Service in 2023, and over 950,000 passports were issued.

Passport Online was rolled out to an additional 175 countries for first time applicants in 2023, meaning that 99.9% of all first-time and renewal applicants worldwide can apply online.

Online enhancements rolled out last year have also simplified the process for first time applicants and especially children applying for their first passport.

In 2023, the Passport Service was ranked 18th out of 150 public-facing organisations in a survey conducted by the Customer Experience (CX) group. This ranking recognised the Passport Service as the best customer service brand in the public sector. In addition, the Customer Service Hub in the Passport Service was shortlisted for the “Best Customer Service Team” award at the 2023 Customer Experience Awards.

2024 is expected to be another busy year for the Passport Service. I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply for their passports through Passport Online, as the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way to apply for a passport.

My Department will continue to work to ensure that our services meet the needs of our citizens in 2024.

The figures requested by the Deputy are outlined in tabular form below. Please note that only Passport Online figures are available for the number of applications outstanding at the end of each year.