Donegal TD and Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh has encouraged people in the county to apply early to renew their passports, at least six weeks before they travel.
Mr McHugh, Minister for the Irish language, Gaeltacht and the Islands, said families, students and holidaymakers intending to head overseas in the coming months should check their passport before booking travel.
“Traditionally the Passport Service experiences its biggest spike in demand over the May Bank Holiday weekend,” Mr McHugh said.
“People should try to be prepared, to check before they book and I’m encouraging people to renew their passports online.”
In Donegal last year 2,445 passports were issued to people living in Ireland who had applied online.
Over 18s can apply for a renewal at any time of the day or week if they use the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website at dfa.ie/passportonline. Applicants do not need to fill in paper application forms, source witnesses or print off photos.
Mr McHugh said: “In the year or so since the new Online Passport Application Service was launched 180,000 online renewal applications have been processed. And this year the popularity shows no sign of slowing down with more than 80,000 online applications.
“An online renewal service is convenient and secure. People can get a turnaround on an application with 10 working days or less. As many people as possible should use it and spread the word: save time – renew online.”
The Passport Service has advised that people ineligible to use the online facility can submit an application via Passport Express in a local post office if they are due to travel in more than three weeks. Appointments can also be made to make an application at public counters in Dublin and Cork.
The Passport Office in Dublin also provides a limited number of appointments each day for a same-day turnaround for a passport for people travelling within three days.
The online service for passports is to be extended to more categories by the end of this year.
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