Department expects nearly double its record number of passport applications next year

The Dept of Foreign Affairs is in discussions with the OPW over new office space to help clear its passport backlog. File Picture: Collins

The Department of Foreign Affairs warned it could have to process 1.75 million passport applications next year, having never even reached an annual figure of one million before.

In a pre-budget submission, the department said “significant pent-up capacity demand” for passports was the single biggest operational challenge it would face in 2022.