Ms Catherine Kellaghan:

I did not answer the question on the automation of applications. We were asked why we cannot populate forms automatically. The Department as a whole is looking at the use of online applications. Obviously, the biggest hurdle to be jumped in that regard relates to identification. We need to have appropriate ways of ensuring the person making the online application is the person he or she claims to be. Such issues are being examined by the Department. The use of online applications is something we will look at in the future. I do not know how far into the future it will be when they are used. If online applications are used, there will be more scope for much of the form to be automatically populated with the information we already have. It could then be amended, where necessary.