Written answers

Tuesday, 24 October 2023

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Public Services Card

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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350. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to examine the current difficulties being experienced by a person (details supplied) trying to renew their public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46079/23]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned attended my Department’s Newbridge Intreo Centre on 16 October 2023 to renew their Public Services Card (PSC). A new card will issue within the next 10 days to their home address.

The PSC online renewal service requires customers to provide a photograph which has been taken in the last six months and is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The service was introduced to facilitate renewals during the public health restrictions related to the Covid 19 pandemic, and complements the in-person PSC renewal service. The in-person renewal service does not encounter difficulties with photograph quality due to the appropriate standard of camera and lighting equipment available on site. My Department is aware that some customers using the online renewal service have experienced difficulties when submitting their photograph. Work to improve the photograph acceptance process for customers who opt to use the online service is planned.

My Department is currently experiencing high levels of demand for Public Service Cards and PSC renewals. In general, customers are dealt with on a walk in basis to allow the maximum use of available resources.

Where a customer with a disability, or a difficulty queuing, wishes to avail of a walk-in PSC service, they can request an appointment outside of the busy walk-in hours by contacting the Access Officer at their local Intreo/PSC Centre.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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