John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

501. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he, or bodies and agencies under the remit of his Department, plans to make services or payments dependent on the mandatory use and production of the public services card; if so, the services and payments which will now be dependent on the mandatory use of the public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38149/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

This requirement is being introduced due to the robust assurances provided by the SAFE 2 standard in protecting against fraud and identity theft. The SAFE 2 process, which includes the Public Services Card and MyGovID, represents the most secure and robust means available to the State for physically or digitally verifying applicants for public services. This measure will therefore assist in upholding the integrity of the Irish passport.

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.