Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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415. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has feedback on the number of applications online to complete application for the public services card that result in failure; the number of follow-up calls which are not reached within a reasonable period; and if steps can be taken to make this process simpler for people. [59028/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has introduced an online service which allows customers with verified MyGovID accounts to renew their Public Services Cards (PSCs) through the MyWelfare.ieservice without having to attend an appointment in one of our offices.

Just under 37,000 online applications have been made since the beginning of this year. In some cases, there are issues with the photograph submitted and, when that happens, an official of my Department follows up immediately by contacting the applicant and advising them to attend their Local Office to complete the process. My officials have contacted 2,255 people in this regards so far this year.

My Department has always provided a multi-channel approach to service provision and any customers who experience difficulties renewing their PSC online can arrange an appointment to have their photograph taken at one of our offices or can contact the Public Services Card helpdesk at 0818 837 000.

In respect of first-time applications for Public Services Cards, my Department is currently developing an online application service and it is expected that this service will be introduced in the third quarter of 2023.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.