Over 1,500 people in Kerry are waiting for a new passport.
That’s according to figures provided by Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney in the Dáil this week.
It follows calls from Kerry Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin for a printing facility to be provided in the Cork passport office to deal with renewal applications.
Following a parliamentary question by Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West, Michael Moynihan, Minister Coveney provided an update on passport application numbers from Kerry.
14,130 applications for either a passport renewal or a first-time passport have been made from Kerry so far this year.
12,260 passports have been issued in the county in 2022.
There are currently 2,340 applications in the system from Kerry.
Of these, 1,502 are being processed by the passport service, while 838 need further action from the applicant.
Minister Simon Coveney said 99% of all child and adult online renewal applications are issued within the standard turnaround time, and almost half of all adults who renew their passports online are receiving their new passports within two working days.
He added processing time for first time applications has been reduced by almost 40% since March, from 40 working days to 25 working days.
In a separate parliamentary question, Kerry Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin called for a printing facility at the Cork passport office to allow same-day renewals be done.
He said a printer in Cork would serve the region for urgent renewals, which are often made due to bereavements or other emergency situations.
In response to Deputy Griffin, Minister Coveney said a printer in Cork is not currently being considered because passport demand is beginning to decrease.
