Major delays are being experienced by users of the Passport Express service after the official anticipated waiting times for the expedited service were extended by 50 per cent.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, which oversees the Passport Office, has apologised for the delays, which has led to delivery times being increased at the beginning of this month from a target of 10 days to 15 days.

It said the service had slowed significantly as a result of an increased demand following a glut of passport applications in the wake of 3,000 foreign nationals being granted Irish citizenship in recent weeks.

"While we aim to turn Passport Express services around in 10 days, this is currently not possible," a spokeswoman told The Irish Times. "Demand has increased recently partly due to the naturalisation [citizenship] ceremony for 3,000 people."

Taking steps

The department has been taking steps to speed up the process since the beginning of the month and measures include the recruitment of temporary staff.

“We anticipate a reduction in turnaround times in the coming weeks,” the spokeswoman said.

While the Department of Foreign Affairs website is now carrying a message alerting applicants to the delay, the An Post site is still promising a 10-day turnaround for the service which costs an additional €9.50 on top of the standard 10-year passport fee of €80.

Most popular

The Passport Express service, which is run jointly between the Passport Office and An Post, is by far the most popular means through which people make passport applications.

All told, 463,806 of the more than 600,000 applications were received through the postal service last year.

There is also an online passport appointment system available for quick turnarounds at the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork.

This allows customers travelling in less than two to three weeks to book a time slot at www.passportappointments. ie.

The priority in this system is given to those with urgent travel needs.