Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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86. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to review the requirement for photo ID when applying for a public service card, as many people do not have a passport or driver's licence; if an alternative will be offered; if identity confirmation by a garda or solicitor will be made acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20865/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of the Public Services Card since 2012 has proven to be an important innovation both in enabling access to public services across a wide range of Government bodies and protecting against the use of fraudulent identities to access those services.

For example, everyday hundreds of thousands of people use the PSC to access free travel or to collect their social welfare payment at a post office. In addition, the PSC is key to facilitating access to easy-to-use online services from my Department, the Revenue Commissioners, the National Driving Licence Service, the Passport Office and SUSI among many others. Last year alone, my Department processed over 3 million online transactions via the MyGovID service which is built on the PSC process.

It is important therefore that we do not impose any unnecessary impediment to a person authenticating their identity as part of the PSC process. I can confirm that it is not an essential requirement, where a person presents for registration at any of the Department's 110 offices nationwide, that they provide an existing photo ID in the form of a passport or driving licence. This arrangement is in place in recognition of the fact that not every person holds a passport or driver licence.

The process through which a person authenticates their identify is known as the SAFE process. A person presenting at one of the Department's offices to acquire a PSC is asked to present documentary evidence of their identity and address, including, if they have one, their passport or driving licence. However this is not mandatory as the person's photo is taken by staff at the office and it is this photo that is then used on the PSC and is also matched against all other PSC photos using biometric methods to ensure that same identity is not being used twice.

In addition, since July 2024, residents on the island of Ireland, over age sixteen, who hold a current Irish passport can opt to verify their identity on-line, using the MyGovID app, which is available for free download from Apple and Google App Play Stores. In these cases, a person does not have to attend an in-person appointment at one of our offices. However, if using this App we do insist that they present their passport as evidence of identity.

Last year over 375,000 registered their identity for SAFE / PSC purposes of which over 50,000 used the new online App.