Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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786. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. [16297/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department for Foreign Affairs provides a number of services to the public in Ireland and through its Embassies and Consulates abroad including passport services, consular services such as authentication and apostille services, and visa services.

The methods of payments available depend on the service and the location. These payment methods include debit and credit cards, online payments, bank transfers, bank drafts and postal orders. In certain locations, visa application fees are paid via a Visa Application Centre. In some limited circumstances, cash can be used.

In addition, the Department is currently using PayPal to facilitate the payment of Covid-related repatriation bills.

The Department will continue to seek to use the most efficient and secure methods of payment as possible, taking into account the broad range of services it provides and locations in which it operates.