Irish holidaymakers are being warned not to book holidays until they have their up-to-date passports in their hands as the Passport Office deals with a major backlog.
Thousands of people are scrambling to get their renewals complete before the 2022 summer season of travel - but it seems many are being left waiting weeks longer than the estimated time frame.
According to Northern Irish Sinn Fein politician, Jemma Dolan, “My office has been inundated with queries from people who require their passport to be accelerated.
READ MORE: Travel agent issues warning on Irish passports ahead of summer holidays
“Unfortunately we are limited in our ability as the system that is in place is not turning them around quickly enough but we will still try to help as best we can.
“Sinn Féin continue to call for a passport office to be opened in the north and for more resources to be put into the Dublin & Cork offices.”
The advice for those who need to sort their passports out is as follows:
- Check your passport is in date - if it’s out over the next few months and you’re thinking about going abroad, consider applying for renewal now
- Do not book a holiday before you have your passport - either renewal or new application
- If you require an emergency passport (to attend a funeral, medical treatment, or in other exceptional circumstances) book an appointment directly with the passport office (online)
A dedicated Facebook page for those waiting on passports is filled with complaints, as one person wrote earlier today: “We applied for 3 Irish passports end of January and still waiting.
“We go away on the 16th June next month we’ve managed to get an appointment next week at Belfast passport office for 3 British fast-tracked passports.
“Can’t take a chance in the hope the Irish ones arrive before that when literally Irish Passport Office have left everyone hanging by a thread not knowing what is going on.”
Another said: “Does anyone have any positive stories? I live in hope.
“Estimated issue date was 28th April, applied on 2nd February, but it’s still processing.”
Meanwhile, on Twitter, the conversation is similarly filled with people revealing their frustrations.
One woman wrote to the passport office saying: “Could you give me a suggestion if the office won't answer the phone or webchat.
“Trying to tell a 5-year-old he can't go on holiday. Was told turn around was 8 weeks and applied in February.”
Another wrote: “We are flying out on the 27th of May, had applied for the passports in February, neither the hub nor tracker is telling us if we will have the passport back in time.
“What happens if we go to the passport office?”
However, a spokesperson responded to the woman and said: “Hi, attending the Passport Office will not speed up an application.”
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