John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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634. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he or bodies and agencies under the remit of his Department plan 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 dependant on the mandatory use of the public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38152/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that as and from 19th September 2016, all persons applying for a certificate of naturalisation who are aged 18 and above and who are resident in the State must be registered with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for a Public Services Card. This is an important measure for identification purposes and to protect against fraud and identity theft and to uphold the integrity of the Irish naturalisation process. It ensures that the identity of applicants for naturalisation will be verified to a high standard.

The Private Security Authority intends to examine the suitability of the Public Services Card in connection with its licence application process subject to discussions with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Work is also ongoing with a view to transitioning the Garda Age Card function to the Public Services Card.