Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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325. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the national age card is not accepted as valid ID for many purposes, for example, to sit the driver theory test or as ID for financial institutions despite being authenticated by An Garda Síochána, requiring a birth certificate, passport or GNIB card and a fee of €10, while less secure ID, for example, student ID, is acceptable; and the steps she will take to encourage more Departments, Government agencies and private sector companies to accept the national age card as acceptable and secure photographic ID. [46026/14]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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326. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost to An Garda Síochána of administering the national age card scheme; the number of cards issued each year since it was launched; and the total income received from applications. [46027/14]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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327. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the purpose of the national age card; and if it is intended to review it as being fit for purpose. [46028/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 to 327, inclusive, together.

The Garda Age Card is a voluntary proof of age card which may be issued by An Garda Síochána to persons aged 18 years and over under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 2010. The purpose of the card is to verify a person's age in relation to the sale of alcohol and it may also be used in relation to the sale of tobacco as provided in section 45 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002. I have received no indication from the Garda authorities that the present arrangements in relation to Age Cards do not fulfil their intended purpose. The card is not designed to function as an identity card for other purposes.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below shows the number of Age Card issued each year for the past five years. The current fee for an Age Card is €10.

My Department is awaiting further information from the Garda authorities in relation to the costs and income associated with the Age Card scheme and I will forward this directly to the Deputy when it is to hand.



Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations