Eamon Scanlon TD asked the Minister for Foreign: Passport Services

Eamon Scanlon TD of County Sligo raised a question in the Dáil on 21 May 2026 regarding the passport renewal process for children of widowed or bereaved parents. He asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether she would review the current requirement that such parents must resubmit death certificates and sworn affidavits each time a child’s passport is renewed. The TD also inquired whether the Minister would consider introducing a once‑off verification system, whereby these documents would only need to be provided once unless family circumstances changed. Finally, he requested that the Minister make a statement on the matter.

The question reflects concerns that the existing paperwork can be burdensome for families who have already provided the necessary documentation. By proposing a single verification step, the TD suggested a potential simplification of the renewal process. The Minister’s response, if any, was not recorded in the debate transcript.

The issue was raised in the context of ongoing discussions about streamlining administrative procedures for citizens. While the question was specific to the passport service, it highlights a broader interest in reducing repetitive documentation for families affected by bereavement.

For further details, see the Oireachtas record of the debate: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/questions/2026-05-21/.

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