Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

217. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures that are in place to protect adoptees whose attention has not been drawn to their adoption in cases in which they apply for the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42072/17]

Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

218. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason adoptees have to provide a copy of their birth certificate when applying for the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42073/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.

To ensure that people’s identity is verified to a substantial level of assurance, my Department has implemented an identity registration process called SAFE. That process involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature and the verification of identity data. Items of the identity dataset that are verified include the date and place of birth as well as the mother’s birth surname. This information is taken from the birth registration record, or in the case of adopted persons, from the adoption registration record. A PSC is issued following successful completion of the registration process.

For Irish-born nationals, the SAFE registration officers in my Department have direct electronic access to the birth register and so can usually verify these data items without the need for a person to bring their birth cert.

However, as the Adopted Children Register is maintained centrally in the General Register Office, all requests for certificates relating to adoptions must be made to that office. Consequently, adopted persons are asked to bring their adoption certificate (not their birth certificate) with them when they attend for SAFE registration. This is in line with the requirements both here and in other countries when applying for services that require verification of identity, such as a passport or driving licence.

Details of the registration process and information on the documents which a person should provide are available on the Department’s website at .

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.