Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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66. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on making the public services card compulsory for availing of public services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39686/17]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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73. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on making the public services card compulsory for availing of public services; her further views on maintaining the option to use other forms of identification such as driver licences and passports which are at a safe 2 level to prove identity for accessing services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39650/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 73 together.

A Public Services Card may be issued to an individual who has successfully authenticated their identity to SAFE Level 2, i.e., to a substantial level of assurance. I have been informed by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that “it is not mandatory for residents in Ireland to be SAFE 2 registered, though a growing number of public services that require proof of identity of individuals will be underpinned by the SAFE 2 standard, ensuring services are provided to the correct people in an efficient manner, while protecting their data.

The recently published eGovernment Strategy 2017 – 2020, lists a number of public services for which SAFE 2 registration will be required. Others are likely to be listed in the future. The transition plans, including communications, interim arrangements, exceptions, etc., will be worked through by those Departments with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

SAFE 2 offers a standard way of identifying citizens that will reduce the administrative burden both on the service providers and on the citizens accessing the services. The registration process also offers the most robust identity proofing process to protect personal data used within Government. As such it is Government policy that SAFE registration is required for access to all services that require proof of a person’s identity. The SAFE 2 process is essential for Ireland to be aligned with the EC EIDAS legislation, which is a key aspect of the EC eGovernment Action Plan and Digital Single Market Strategy.”

The SAFE 2 registration process involves a face-to-face interaction; the verification and capture of the Public Service Identity (PSI) data set, the examination/validation/verification of at least two documents supporting identity, and photo-matching.

Taken individually, neither a passport, nor a driver’s license, nor a birth certificate is enough to validate an identity to SAFE Level 2. However, in combination and with the other data and processes mentioned above, they can be used to verify an identity to SAFE2 level. Until very recently the application process for an Irish passport or a Driver Theory Test did not comply with the SAFE 2 standard of identity verification. Since March 2016, SAFE 2 registration became a requirement for first time adult passport applicants in the State; it was introduced as a requirement for applicants for citizenship in September 2016; and introduced as a requirement for Driver Theory test applicants in June 2017.

In practical terms, and to ensure that there isn’t duplication of process, this has meant that the bodies in charge of these services have decided that they would utilise the SAFE 2 registration infrastructure that my Department has developed.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.