Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress whereby young people reaching their 18th birthday can obtain age identification cards; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that delays of many months are normal in the issue of the cards; and his plans to ensure that they are available on application without delay. [3730/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the application procedure for the age card is governed by the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988 (Age Card) Regulations, 1999, made under the provisions of section 40 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, and which provides for a voluntary age card scheme. Applicants who fail to meet the necessary application criteria may be refused an age card.

In summary, the relevant age card regulations — the full regulations are set out in SI 4 of 1999 — are as follows: applicants must have attained the age of 18 years and shall present his or her application in writing, on the designated application form, to the Garda station in the area in which he or she resides. The application form must be accompanied by the applicant's birth certificate, at least one other document confirming identity, two recent identical passport sized photographs and the prescribed fee of €6.

The current monthly average of age cards processed is 4,327. The period from receipt of a correct application to delivery of the card is now 21 days on average. A number of factors have in the past contributed to delays. The provision of additional staff has, in the main, addressed this problem.

The Garda authorities continuously monitor the scheme to ensure that it takes account of changing circumstances and is improved as necessary. With this aim in view, a tendering process for the development of a upgraded age card, with enhanced security features, is in train, in co-operation with the Government supplies agency. This will enable the national age card office to devote increased attention to quality assurance issues.