Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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616. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to set out the criteria needed for a person from Bulgaria when applying for a public services card. [6734/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Face-to-face registration for a Public Services Card (PSC) is called SAFE registration.

If a person needs a PSC they can make an appointment online by using www.mywelfare.ie or by calling into their local Intreo Centre or social welfare local office. Details of the Department’s SAFE office locations are available www.welfare.ie.

SAFE registration takes about 15 minutes to complete (once all documents are presented). During this appointment the person’s photograph will be taken and his / her signature recorded for their PSC, which will be posted to the address provided by the person during registration. The person will also be asked for the answers to some security questions.

The following documents need to be presented at the appointment–

1. Evidence of identity: EU citizens (other than Irish and UK) including Bulgarians, should present a current passport or national identity card.

2. Evidence of address: Any of the following documents can be used to do this (it must show the person’s name and address): a household utility bill; an official letter/document; a financial statement; property lease or tenancy agreement; confirmation of address by a third party such as a school principal/administrator, accommodation/property owner or manager.

If the person is staying with friends or relatives an original household bill plus a note from the bill holder confirming residency at the bill address is acceptable. This note can be written on the bill itself.

As part of the SAFE registration process, the person will be given the option to verify their mobile phone. This will make it easier for them to setup and verify a MyGovID account to securely access a range of public services online.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.