Passport Services

277. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she is aware of concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) regarding the current child passport renewal process, which requires widowed parents to repeatedly submit death certificates and sworn affidavits each time a child’s passport is renewed; if she will consider introducing a once-off verification syst…

278. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she is aware that widowed parents are required to repeatedly submit death certificates and sworn affidavits when renewing children’s passports; if she will review this requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37188/26]

279. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether consideration is being given to introducing a once-off verification process for bereaved parents renewing children’s passports, whereby bereavement documentation will only need to be submitted once unless family circumstances change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37189/26]

281. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to a campaign (details supplied); if this can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37235/26]

282. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will consider facilitating a meeting with a group (details supplied) to discuss their concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37236/26]

283. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the merits of amending the requirements for child passport renewals (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37237/26]

284. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the plans to implement a change to the application process for widowed parents to renew their child's passport so that a once off verification process of death would protect safeguards while showing basic compassion to bereaved families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37239/26]

289. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will review the case of persons (details supplied); the status of the applications; if the applications will be expedited given the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37486/26]

291. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to a passport application and renewal process for children’s passports, if changes (details supplied) will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37593/26]

292. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); the status of the passport application; if the application will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37608/26]

293. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport can be expedited for a person (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37683/26]

294. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will reform the passport application system for bereaved and widowed parents to introduce a one-time verification system for the renewal of children's passports given the distress caused by the present arrangement whereby the widowed parent must submit their deceased partner or co-parent's death certificate and a swor…

295. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether she is aware of concerns raised by widowed parents regarding the requirement to repeatedly submit death certificates, affidavits and related bereavement documentation when renewing passports for their children; whether consideration will be given to introducing a once off verification system whereby such documentat…

296. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will issue instructions to the passport office, when it comes to renewal passport applications for under 18s, to end the practice of the widow/bereaved partner/other parent having to re-submit death certificates and sworn affidavits during every passport renewal, and instead to have a one-off verification system in …

298. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason widowed parents are required to repeatedly submit death certificates and sworn affidavits each time their child's passport is renewed; the justification for this practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37806/26]

155. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current average processing times for passports applications; if these times are being met in practise and if there are any delays or backlogs currently affecting the Passport Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35907/26]

162. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the Passport Service records the median processing time for first-time passport applications; and if so, to provide the median processing time in each of the past five years, disaggregated by online and paper applications. [36094/26]

163. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the Passport Service records the percentage of first-time passport applications completed within the advertised 20 working day turnaround target; and if so, to provide the annual compliance rate for each of the past five years. [36095/26]

164. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of first-time passport applications in each of the past five years which exceeded 20 working days for processing; the number exceeding 40 working days; and the longest recorded processing time in each year. [36096/26]

165. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether any internal review has examined the causes of delays in first-time passport applications arising from documentation verification, witness verification, or citizenship validation processes; and if so, to provide a summary of findings and recommendations. [36097/26]

166. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the Passport Service maintains any internal escalation protocol for first-time passport applications delayed beyond standard turnaround times; and if so, to provide details. [36098/26]

167. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the Passport Service records the number of requests for urgent return of supporting documentation from applicants; and if so, to provide annual figures for the past five years. [36099/26]

168. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of complaints received by the Passport Service in each of the past five years relating to delays, lost documentation, communication failures, or document return issues in respect of first-time passport applications. [36100/26]

169. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether any service improvement targets have been set for reducing turnaround times for first-time passport applications in 2026 and 2027; and if so, to provide details. [36101/26]

170. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the existing data-sharing arrangement between the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and the Passport Service allows for automated verification of naturalisation certificates; and if not, whether further digital integration is planned. [36102/26]