Written answers

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Public Services Card Provision

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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501. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the services that require a public services card; if a public services card is required to open a post office account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51840/17]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A Public Services Card is a physical token that may be issued to a person once they successfully complete a SAFE 2 identity verification process.

SAFE 2 identity verification is currently required for:

- Access to Social Welfare Services (including Child Benefit and Treatment Benefits)

- First time adult passport applicants in the state

- Replacement of lost, stolen or damaged passports issued prior to January 2005, where the person is resident in the State

- Citizenship applications

- Driver Theory Test Applicants

- Access to high value or personal online public services, e.g. my Department’s MyWelfare and Revenue’s MyAccount services via MyGovID, the identity authentication mechanism for accessing public services online.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform recently published the eGovernment Strategy 2017–2020. It lists a number of public services for which SAFE 2identity verification will be required in the near future at.

Others are likely to be listed in the future.

Full details on SAFE 2, the Public Services Card and the services for which they will be required are set out in my Department’s “Comprehensive Guide to SAFE Registration and the Public Services Card” which is published on its website at:

While issues relating to the Post Office are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, I am unaware of a requirement to use a PSC when opening a post office account.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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