Passports applications across Cavan and Monaghan has reached its highest figures over the last three years, since 2019.
Almost 12,000 online passport applications were received by people across Cavan and Monaghan this year so far.
A total of 6,424 passports were received in Cavan, compared to the figure of 4,896 issued during the previous year of 2021.
In Monaghan, figures also increased with a total of 5,190 passports received, compared to 3,890 the previous year.
Meanwhile, across the country, 195,000 people sent in passport requests last month, with a 50 to 60 per cent increase in the volumes of applications reported since Covid travel restrictions were lifted.
As a result, it is believed that contract tracers who are working for the HSE, are to be redeployed to help clear the massive backlog in passport applications.