Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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484. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when appointments for public services cards will resume subject to public health advice; her plans to move the process online; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17431/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The SAFE registration process, which my Department uses to authenticate a person's identity, is a face to face process which results in the issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC).

At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily postponed the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken to comply with HSE and WHO guidelines in respect of social distancing.

My Department is currently resuming SAFE registration work in Intreo Centres and this will be done in accordance with all relevant guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the Department's customers and staff. I would expect that SAFE registrations will re-commence nationwide over the coming weeks and further information will then be made available as to how appointments can be arranged.

My Department has no plans at present to provide an online SAFE registration service. However, it is planning to introduce an online service to allow a person who already has a PSC to renew their Card, where it is due to expire. I expect to progress this work over the coming months.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.