Very difficult to renew Public Services card online

It took 4 weeks for my wife to get her renewal card. She couldn't use the old one as it was immediately cancelled.

I called out to DunLaoghaire to renew mine. When entering I was told by the security Guard that there would be a delay as the person who deals with it was on their tea break?

No cover for this person?
 
I have recently renewed my Public Services Card. New photo. Will this photo be acceptable for a renewal of my passport?
 
Cover for a tea break?

Surely 15 minutes isn’t a big deal
 
Staggered tea breaks would make more sense I agree but if you’d arrived and not been told there was a delay due to tea breaks you’d not have noticed 15 minutes either way.