Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I need to consider the deadline and the significance of it.

The thinking behind a public services card is to make sure we make accessing services easier for people, not more difficult. Once people go to the trouble of getting the public services card, which I know for some may involve travelling, it will allow them access multiple services across the State, including getting passports renewed, driver licences and so on. It is in the interest of everybody to get a public services card so that they can fast-track their application for the other services they seek.

Regarding the deadline the Deputy referred to, I will come back to him on that.

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