Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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486. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will arrange to have an appointment system put in place for a public service card procedures in view of the inconvenience of the present limited number of places each day resulting in many disappointed clients and long waiting periods. [53565/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The SAFE registration process, which involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, results in the issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC), which can be used as proof of identity when accessing public services.

Since the beginning of this year, over 229,000 SAFE registration and PSC renewal appointments have been carried out by my Department.

Requests for SAFE registration appointments are dealt with at a local level across the Department's network of offices. In most parts of the country, offices are offering a walk-in service, with no appointment required, while in other areas appointments are available within a number of days.

Urgent requests for an appointment are dealt with on a local basis, and any person who requires a PSC should contact their local INTREO Centre where an appointment will be made for them at the earliest opportunity.

Work has commenced on the development of an online appointments service which will allow customers to book an appointment for a number of services provided by the Department, including a SAFE registration appointment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.