Parents are being reminded to check their children’s passport status as the holiday season gets into full swing.
The reminder has come from Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary, Minister for Labour Affairs, following a lot of calls to his office from parents who were not aware that their children have to have passports of their own to travel abroad.
Up until 2004 children could travel on their parents’ passports, but the Government abolished that at that time in line with best international practice. This was done to improve security of international travel for children.
“There are some exceptions still where parents’ passports issued before October 1, 2004 on which children have been included remain valid, but some countries require the individual passport regardless, such as the USA, Estonia, and the Czech Republic, and so, I would recommend that families intending to travel this summer check the status of the passports in good time,” advised Minister Calleary.
“Applications for children’s passports can be sourced on the Department of Foreign Affairs website, and if I can be of assistance people can also contact my office in Ballina,” concluded Minister Calleary.
