Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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584. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for a free travel pass will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36816/20]

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.  Customers entitled to free travel receive a free travel variant of their Public Services Card to use when availing of free travel.  

At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily postponed the SAFE registration process to comply with public health guidelines in respect of social distancing. 

My Department has resumed SAFE registration services in Intreo Centres and Branch Offices countrywide.  This is being done in accordance with relevant guidelines to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff.

Officials of my Department are contacting customers who are entitled to Free Travel and who have not yet received their Free Travel Public Services Card, inviting them to contact their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office to arrange their SAFE registration appointment.  

The person concerned has been contacted by their local Intreo Centre and their SAFE registration  appointment has been arranged for Friday 20th November.  Once this process is complete, the person concerned will be issued with their free travel Public Services Card. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.