A number of families have been taking to Twitter to ask for help as they await first-time passports for their approaching holidays.
Warnings were published by officials in recent weeks asking passengers to refrain from booking flights before their documents arrived in the post - but it seems some went ahead and now risk missing their flights.
Those renewing online are subject to the least wait times, but those applying by post have significantly longer processing periods due to the method by which they’re sorted.
Understandably, anyone applying for a first-time passport for their kids also has a longer wait as the process is more complicated and it seems many parents have been caught out.
One person explained on Twitter: “I did book a 4-day turnaround appointment for my child's passport. I can't cancel the online application - chat is not available.
“Online application waiting for supporting documents. Can I apply for a passport in the Dublin office again?
“Otherwise we miss our holidays and my son has a major operation after.”
Among the hundreds of accounts, another parent wrote: “@PassportIRL I have been waiting 2½ months for my son's first-time passport. I rang up the office in Dublin and was put through to the most stubborn man ever!
“I'm flying out early hrs of the 6th of June I've been brought to tears as now my 3yr old boy might miss his 1st family holiday.”
Another hopeful passenger wrote: “I have tried for 3 days to get through both by phone and webchat and no luck.
“30-day turnaround is a joke waiting 2.5 months and due to fly out soon, my elderly parents can't go on their own so they will miss out on a holiday too, so infuriating!!!”
Despite the continuous complaints, the Passport Office turnaround times remain as follows:
- Simple online renewals - 10 working days
- Complex online renewals - 15 working days
- First time online applicants - 30 working days
- For those applying by post, the wait time is currently around eight weeks.
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