Ms Helen Dixon:

What I can state from direct knowledge, because we have corresponded with the Departments on complaints we have on hand from individuals about the PSC, is that the Passport Office is no longer requiring the PSC on a mandatory basis for the categories of passport application or renewal that previous to this it was requiring. Again, to the best of our knowledge, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is not requiring the PSC on a mandatory basis. As far as we understand from the press statement issued the other day by the Minister, Deputy Zappone, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs appears to be pressing ahead with a requirement that individuals use a PSC to apply online for the new childcare scheme. The only alternative option that appears to be offered is a manual, paper-based application that will not be ready until the new year and will not provide back payments. Clearly, this is completely at odds with the findings of our report and the directions we have issued.