Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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131. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the necessary documentation required when applying for a passport; and if an applicant whose passport is expired in excess of five years must provide a public services card with the application. [6445/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 as amended ("the 2008 Act"). The 2008 Act, provides among other things, that the Passport Service must be satisfied as to the identity of an applicant.

Since March 29th, 2016, the Passport Service has required all first time passport applicants, aged 18 and above, who are resident in Ireland to submit a copy of their Public Services card (PSC) with their passport application. In cases where the applicant's most recent passport has expired by more than 5 years, ie their last passport application was more than 15 years ago, the new passport application will have the same requirements as a first time passport application.

The requirement to submit a copy of the PSC has been an important step in protecting against fraud and identity theft and in upholding the integrity of the Irish passport.