Applications for Irish passports have been "paused" via the Republic of Eire government when the country went right into a stage 5 lockdown in December.
That means that both on the net purposes and people submitted by means of NI Article Irish passport Workplaces aren't staying processed presently.
Meanwhile, no even further apps are being accepted by way of Article Workplaces during the freeze, their telephone strains are closed plus they "can't re-activate inbound links for Grownup witness forms, guardianship; consent kinds or for Photograph re-submission until we return to Stage four".
A spokesperson for RoI's Section of Foreign Affairs, which oversees the programs, told Belfast Reside: "The Passport Service has paused the processing of routine apps while Ireland is at Degree 5 of your Countrywide Framework for Living with COVID-19.
"Passport Support team are briefly reassigned to supply consular support for Irish citizens abroad."
However you can continue to get an Irish passport, if you want one particular within an crisis.
They extra: "Considering that the introduction of Amount five constraints on 24 December 2020, the Passport Provider has operated an essential unexpected emergency assistance. A recent amendment on the Overall health Act 1947, which came into effect on 1 February 2021, has expanded the standards of what is taken into account an affordable excuse for non-important journey.
"Applicants who demand a passport for these needs really should Get in touch with the Passport Service by using our Customer support Hub Webchat operate on our website the moment they've evidence to substantiate their request. The Passport Service have ensured that proper methods are in position to respond to these kinds of requests."
If the Republic arrives outside of Stage five lockdown, DfA reported: "The Passport Service has an extensive plan in place to resume all solutions, in keeping with the Countrywide Framework for Residing with COVID-19. When functions resume at Degree 4, all purposes obtained through Passport On-line will be processed.
"Priority is specified to the net application stream, provided the efficiencies which can be in-constructed into the system for each the applicant and the Passport Support. The processing of a web based application is 4 times as speedy like a paper application. Additionally, the usage of Passport On the internet can aid social distancing, provided that a renewal software for an adult does not call for the signature of a witness."
You could speak to the passport staff by way of a webchat provider on their Web-site here, which they question that individuals use whenever they require a passport in an emergency.
However, they warn: "The Webchat group does not have usage of facts in relation to particular passport applications, the return of supporting files or International Delivery Registration apps. Supporting files can only be returned when the Passport Company places of work reopen."