Rose Conway-Walsh: Urgent call on Ukrainians' passport renewals
Rose Conway-Walsh questioned the Taoiseach about Ukrainians living in Ireland who are unable to renew Ukrainian passports, asking for a practical fix to avoid forcing people to travel abroad. She highlighted problems with the online renewal system and contrasted Ireland with other EU states that offer in-person appointments.
Summary of the problem: Rose Conway-Walsh raised the issue directly with the Taoiseach, explaining that many Ukrainians who sought refuge in Ireland now face major difficulties renewing their passports. She pointed to children turning 14 who must apply independently and to an online process that repeatedly times out and kicks users out.
International comparisons and consequences: The deputy noted that countries such as Spain, Italy and Poland have introduced in-person, document-appointment services allowing Ukrainians to renew passports efficiently and without unnecessary stress. In Ireland, Ukrainians report being forced to travel to Poland, Spain or Italy at significant financial cost to complete renewals.
Government response and next steps: The Taoiseach said the Minister of Foreign Affairs is aware of the issue and that he will follow up and speak to the Minister. Rose Conway-Walsh called for an urgent rectification to prevent further hardship for refugees and their families.
Context for public services: The exchange took place amid broader pressures on public services caused by the war in Ukraine, a point acknowledged by the Taoiseach during the response. The deputy urged a practical, service‑level solution to align Ireland with other EU responses.
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Sorry, my question as well, Taoiseach, is around Ukrainians living here and what we need to do. Because it's been brought to my attention that many Ukrainians that are living here are having major difficulties in renewing their Ukrainian passports. Now those who fled the Russian invasion and sought refuge here now find themselves unable to renew their passports in Ireland. And you'll know that children, when they reach, Ukrainian children, when they reach the age of 14, have to get a passport by themselves or otherwise they're the current online process repeatedly times out and kicks them out of the system. Now other countries such as Spain and Italy and Poland have put in place an in-person DP document appointment based service allowing Ukrainians to renew their passports efficiently and without unnecessary stress. But Ukrainians in Ireland have told me that they are now forced to travel to either Poland, Spain or Italy at significant financial cost. Do you know about this Taoiseach and can you ensure that it's rectified? Thank you. Different set of questions, Deputy Rosemary Conroy-Walsh. The Minister of the Department of Foreign Affairs are aware of this issue and I will come back to you and I'll talk to the Minister. Again there have been challenges all around and it's because of the war in Ukraine there's lots of issues in public services that have come under pressure. you
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