Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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979. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the application process for public services cards will reopen given that the current closure means that young people applying for their first full driver licence cannot apply for a test without a valid card and the lack of card processing availability is having a negative impact on their ability to obtain a full licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14448/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily suspended Public Services Card (PSC) appointments and the online system used to manage those appointments. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and World Health Organization guidelines and help protect the health and well-being of our customers and staff.  Decisions regarding the reinstatement of these services have been made with regard to the importance of ensuring the continuing safety of customers and staff.

PSC appointments are currently suspended due to the prevailing Level 5 restrictions, but appointments are available for urgent cases in circumstances where the customer has no alternative means of accessing public services other than by acquiring a PSC. So far this year, my Department has carried out over 11,000 PSC appointments in such cases.

Any person urgently requiring a PSC should contact their local Intreo Centre.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.