Pressure eases on passport backlog

THE backlog in the processing of passport applications is finally over after months of delays, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Minister of State Peter Power TD, had suggested to the Limerick Post that it would make sense to open a passport office in Limerick in the Irish Aid offices, that he was in talks on the matter and would continue to press the issue.

He is now urging anyone who continues to experience delays and is in urgent need of the document to contact his department.

“The end in the delay is very welcome and I’m delighted we managed to bring the time down to a 10 day wait,” the deputy told this newspaper.

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“My office has been inundated with calls and we have helped people as best we could. Anyone who is in need of a passport in an emergency situation is welcome to contact the department”.

The waiting list for a passport rose to a high of 68,000 at one period since delays began in March due to industrial action taken by members of the Civil, Public and Services Union (CPSU) over public sector pay cuts.

In an effort to cope with the backlog 50 temporary staff were taken on at the passport offices in Cork and Dublin.

Minister Micheal Martin said that the 10 day working guarantee for receipt of a passport has now been restored.

There are currently more than 24,000 passport applications waiting to be processed in the country but Minister Power added that these should soon dealt with.

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