Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1102. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is considering removing the public services card as a requisite for applying to the national childcare scheme in view of the views of the Data Protection Commissioner on the legitimacy of the card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4441/20]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) was launched for online applications on 20^thNovember 2019 and offline applications on the 13th March 2020. To date, over 31,500 applications have been received relating to over 40,900 children.

The Scheme has always been designed such that, when it was fully up and running, applications would be accepted bothonline and offline. A Public Services Card (PSC) and verified MyGovID account are required to apply online only. Alternatively, parents can apply offline by requesting a postal application form by contacting the Parent Support Centre. The PSC is not required for offline applications.

The online system offers a user friendly application process for busy parents. It optimises the use of innovative technology to offer greater efficiency in the administration of a major national Government scheme.

A secure identity verification system is required for any such IT system. The Public Services Card and MyGovID offers this security. It safeguards applicants' information and the administration of public funding.

Regarding the Data Protection Commissioner’s (DPC) report and the published findings on certain aspects of the use of the Public Services Card (PSC), the Government and the Attorney General have carefully considered the findings of the report, including the legal basis for the use of the PSC by specified bodies or persons (such as myself, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs). The Government has decided to challenge the findings of the report, as based on the legal advice received, it does not believe the DPC’s findings are correct in law.

While it is not possible to predict the outcome of this process, the advice of the Attorney General’s Office is that there is a strong legal basis for the continued public service wide use of the PSC.

Parents who do not have a PSC, nor wish to apply for one, can apply for the NCS through the offline process.