Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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482. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the purpose the public services card plays in identifying a person that is renewing a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37762/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Service currently requires a photocopy of the Public Services card (“PSC”) for first time adult applicants and for applicants seeking to replace lost, stolen or damaged passports that were issued prior to 2005. This measure has been an important step in protecting against fraud and identity theft and in upholding the integrity of the Irish passport.

The Government decided on 17July that the PSC would be required for all passport applications made in the State by the end of 2018.

The PSC and the relevant issuing process, which is managed by the Department of Social Protection, is secure and robust and gives a high degree of assurance regarding the identity of the holder.

My Department will ensure that any changes to the passport application process are communicated to the public well in advance and will work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Social Protection on the practicalities involved.