Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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1432. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an adoption certificate is still required for all public services card applications in view of recent media reports of a person who was awarded a public services card without an adoption certificate; if short form birth certificates are now acceptable for all applications; the impact of this on her Department's SAFE 2 authentication process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15695/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The media reports about this case are incorrect. The certificate presented by the person concerned was, in fact, their adoption certificate, following which the SAFE registration was successfully completed.

A Public Services Card (PSC) may be issued to a person who has successfully completed a SAFE 2 identity registration. The person’s Public Service Identity Dataset is verified as part of this process. Adopted people are treated in the same way as other individuals in terms of verification of identity. Name, date of birth, place of birth and mother’s birth surname are generally verified from the birth certificate or, in the case of an adopted person, from an adoption certificate.

Generally, in the case of an adopted person, the details on the birth register will be different to those on the adoption register and are not consistent with their current identity.

As my Department has access to the Irish Birth Register, the above details can be verified without the need for the individual to physically present a birth certificate, providing that the record can be located on the Register.

However, in contrast, my Department does not have access to the Irish Adoption Register. Accordingly, staff would not be aware of a customer’s adoption status. In such circumstances, the individual is asked to bring a copy of their adoption certificate. This requirement is stated clearly in SAFE 2 registration invitation letters and on my Department’s website.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.