Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to persons that do not have public services cards are having difficulty in renewing their driver licence; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons whose licence expired since 1 July are in a difficult situation as NDLS offices remain closed to the public; his plans to provide an extension in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17710/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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To apply for, or renew, a driving licence you are required to present photographic ID, evidence of PPSN, evidence of address and evidence of residency entitlement. An applicant must present in person at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) office where the required documentation can be examined.

The same information is required when accessing the online system, and the Public Services Card (PSC) satisfies this requirement as the information has already been provided and verified by another Government department.

Without a PSC, it is not possible to access the online system as the necessary validation of documentation has not been made.

The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) resumed services on Monday 8 June 2020. The service resumed on a gradual basis, and by Monday 29 June all NDLS centres, except Clifden and Belmullet, had reopened. The part time offices in Belmullet and Clifden are expected to re-open in the comingweeks. The extension of the validity of driver licences for a further period is under consideration.