Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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661. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the Intreo offices that are currently open for public services card appointments in Dublin; if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by applicants due to a reported increase in demand for the public services card; and the steps that she will take to address the delays. [54791/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It is possible for a person to apply for a Public Services Card (PSC) at the following locations in Dublin:

- Balbriggan

- Ballyfermot

- Ballymun

- Bishop's Square

- Blanchardstown

- Clondalkin

- Coolock

- Dún Laoghaire

- Finglas

- Kilbarrack

- Nutgrove

- Parnell Street

- Swords and

- Tallaght.

Information on the PSC service in all Intreo Centres can be found on gov.ie - PSC/SAFE Registration Centres (www.gov.ie).

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 PSC. Currently, it is not possible for someone who does not already have a PSC to acquire one without attending an Intreo/SAFE Centre. However, my Department is exploring the delivery of services to augment the current face-to-face identity proofing processes carried out by staff in Intreo and SAFE Centres nationwide by allowing customers to satisfactorily establish their identity online.

You may also be interested to know:

- The Department also has an online service which enables customers renew their PSC for 10 years through www.MyWelfare.ie. A verified MyGovID account is required to use this service, and a passport quality photograph must be uploaded with the renewal application.

- An expired card can be extended for three years by calling the Department’s PSC Helpdesk at 0818 837000. Where a PSC is lost, stolen or damaged, a person should immediately contact the PSC Helpdesk where officials will arrange for a new card to issue.

- A PSC is not required when a person is applying for or renewing a driver’s licence in-person at any of the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres nationwide. A person must however book an appointment to attend an NDLS centre.

I trust this clarifies the matter.