Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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68. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the results of a cost benefit analysis that has been undertaken in respect of the public services card, PSC; the number of cards that have been issued to date.; the cost of same; the number that have been activated; the cost incurred to activate the cards; the business case presented for activation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46864/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A Public Services Card (PSC) and an online account called MyGovID may be issued to a person following successful completion of an identity verification process known as SAFE 2. This process authenticates a person’s identity to a substantial level of assurance.

Accordingly, SAFE 2, the PSC and MyGovID are investments in the future of public service provision. They will allow all public service providers over time to be assured that they are dealing with the right person, that identity fraud is minimised, that personal data can be protected, that high-value and personalised public services can be made available to individuals online and remotely, and that Ireland is aligned with the EU’s electronic ID regulations. As a result, more and more public services are beginning to use SAFE 2, the PSC and MyGovID in the provision of their services securely to individuals.

To date over 2.92 million Public Services Cards (PSC) have been issued at a cost of €23.25 million (excl. VAT).

Up to August 2016, when the process was ceased, approximately 1.385 million PSCs had been activated at a cost of €2.47 million.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.