Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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60. To ask the Minister for Social Protection in respect of a person who has changed their name by deed poll, the documentation that is required by such a person for the purposes of her Department issuing a new personal public service number card, and changing the person's name on their social welfare file; if this requirement is based on legislation, regulations, departmental circulars or other policy sources; and if she will indicate, and provide, a copy of same, in her reply to this question. [8330/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Public Services Card (PSC) has been introduced to enable individuals gain access to public services more efficiently and with a minimum of duplication of effort, while at the same time preserving their privacy to the maximum extent possible. The PSC is designed to replace other cards within the public sector such as the Free Travel Pass and the Social Services Card (SSC) of this Department and to make it easy for providers of public services to verify the identity of customers.

A PSC is currently issued following a registration process. This involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature and the verification of identity data including the presentation of supporting documentation.

Part of the registration process involves the establishment of the person’s usage name. The usage name is normally taken from the photographic identity document presented at the time of registration. Where no acceptable photographic identity document is presented, the usage name is taken from the birth registration record.

However, where a person has changed his or her name by deed poll, and the deed poll has been subsequently registered with the Irish High Court, that name will be taken as the usage name. Alternatively, where a person can prove usage of a name dating back at least two years, then that name will be taken as the usage name.

The staff instructions on usage name will be provided to the Deputy.