The Irish Passport Office is now issuing an average of 7,000 passports per day, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.
A record 1.4 million passport applications are expected this year and many first time applicants are reporting long delays.
TDs have warned applicants that issues with the witness signature step is the main reason for delays in applications and advised the public to go to a manned garda station to avoid any hold-up.
