Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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243. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for incorporating the use of the public services card within his Department; the services that it will be used for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48945/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since 29 March 2016, my Department has required all first-time passport applicants aged eighteen and above who are resident in Ireland to hold a valid Public Services Card (PSC). This requirement also applies to the small number of adult passport applicants whose last passport was issued before 1 January 2005 and has since been reported as lost, stolen or damaged.

The Government decided on 17 July this year that the PSC would be required for all passport applications made in the State by the end of 2018. The PSC and the relevant issuing process, which is managed by the Department of Social Protection, is secure and robust and gives a high degree of assurance regarding the identity of the holder.

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.