Tánaiste confirms Cork passport office to relocate to larger premises next year

Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed that the passport office in Cork is to relocate to a larger facility next year to meet increasing demand.

Speaking in the Dáil last week in response to a question from Cork East Fine Gael TD Noel McCarthy, Mr Harris confirmed the plans for the Cork office, saying a new building will accommodate further expansion and allow for an increase in staff.

Full Capacity

At present, the passport office is operating at its full capacity with a total of 117 staff members.

“It is not possible to have any more staff in Cork because the building is now full. However, there are plans to move the passport service in Cork to a new building,” Mr Harris said.

“I believe that will be ready next year, which will give us an opportunity to further expand our footprint and staffing numbers in Cork as there is need and demand for that.”

Mr McCarthy welcomed the Tánaiste’s reply.

“As public representatives, we often see a large rise in the number of passport queries in the run up to the school holidays, and I have no doubt this is one of the passport service’s busiest periods of the year.

“That is why it is important that the additional staff are hired during this period, which the Tánaiste has acknowledged, to ensure that the current turnaround times are kept and no processing backlogs emerge.”