Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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273. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason it is necessary for persons to present themselves at a welfare office to have a photo taken for a public service card; if there are plans to have this available to do online [SUBSTITUTE]; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20866/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The SAFE registration process is the process through which a person satisfies the Minister for Social Protection as to their identity. A customer's identity is verified by attending an in-person appointment at their local Public Services Card or Intreo SAFE Registration Centre. At their appointment the person provides evidence of their identity and address; their photo is taken and their signature is captured.

I am happy to inform the Deputy that since July 2024, residents on the island of Ireland, over the age of sixteen, who hold a current Irish passport can opt to verify their identity on-line, using the MyGovID app. The app is available to download for free from Apple and Google App Play Stores. Over a hundred thousand applications have been received using the online channel since it opened.

On verification of a person’s identity, using either channel, the person is issued with a Public Services Card which can be used as proof of their identity when accessing public services, collecting social protection payments or accessing Free Travel entitlement.

In addition, the person can set up a verified MyGovID account to access a range of online services provided by Irish public bodies. This provides assurance to the public body concerned as to the identity of the person they are dealing with on-line, helps to protect that person against the implications of on-line identity theft, and helps ensure that their data protection rights are protected.