Written answers

Tuesday, 22 January 2019

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Public Services Card

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

659. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is no longer compulsory for persons to register for the public services card to receive social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3056/19]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Section 241 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 (as amended), provides that a person must satisfy the Minister as to his/her identity when making a new claim for a social welfare payment/entitlement and sets out how that can be done.

Section 247C of the 2005 Act provides that an existing claimant must satisfy the Minister as to his/her identity, sets out how that can be done and provides for disqualification where an existing claimant fails to so do.

Once a customer completes the SAFE 2 registration process, they may be issued with a Public Services Card, PSC. The PSC is replacing older documents used to show entitlement to a benefit, including the social welfare services card and the paper travel pass.

Accordingly, it will in future be necessary to produce a PSC as proof of identity for certain types of transactions, including collecting welfare payments in cash at post offices and availing of free travel on public transport.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy. 

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.