______________________________________________
For Written Answer on : 02/10/2024
Question Number(s): 58 Question Reference(s): 39315/24
Department: Foreign Affairs
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
______________________________________________
QUESTION
To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the rationale for the random selection of passport applications for spot checks following consideration by a checker; when this procedure was introduced; the number of such selections that have been made; the outcomes to date; if he will ensure that decisions are not delayed as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The integrity of the Irish passport is the foremost priority of the Passport Service. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked third in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries.
The spot check function is a monitoring and assessment tool to ensure quality of work, in addition to entitlement officers’ adherence to the Passport Service’s policies and processes. Spot check enables the Passport Service to identify potential issues and put in place mitigating measures such as additional training for staff as appropriate.
The spot check function has been embedded in passport processing from as early as the 1990s, and it is a key tool in protecting the integrity of the Irish passport and assuring the quality of the work of processing teams. Accordingly, the Passport Service is not in a position to share the rate of spot checks undertaken and the outcomes of same. However, the Passport Service aims to meet the advertised target turnaround time for all application types and spot checks are as far as possible carried out within that time frame.
