Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality Imirce an féidir le bean a sloinne a athrú go leagan Gaeilge de shloinne a fir céile tar éis pósadh di mura n-úsáideann seisean an leagan Gaeilge é féin, agus más é an leagan galldaithe de shloinne a fir céile atá luaite ar an teastas pósta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [60279/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister I cannot comment on individual cases. By way of information, I am informed by the Department of Social Protection there is no specific legislation in Ireland that provides for the changing of an individual’s name.

I am informed that, if a person has been known as a different name for at least two years, they may seek to have a new Public Services Card issued with this name.

To do this, they must show two years' usage of their new name – this is known as ‘use and repute’. They must attend a PSC/SAFE Registration Centre in person to have their name changed as a new signature will be required.

It is further required to submit at least two of the following documents, dating back for at least two years:

- official communication with a government department

- educational certificate

- bank statement or card

- utility bill

- student or employee identification card (or similar)

This process can be expedited by getting a Deed Poll, which is an official document drawn up and completed by one party only. It is most often used to declare an intention to change one’s name.

There is no legal requirement to instruct a solicitor or attend the High Court to execute a deed poll and a person is not required to lodge (or ‘enrol’) the document in the Central Office of the High Court.

In order to execute a deed poll, the person declares to have given up a former name and adopted a new name for all purposes. The deed must be printed on Deed Paper (which is available from legal stationers), signed in the former name and the new name and in the presence of a witness.

A copy of the deed poll and the affidavit of attesting witness can then be used with the person's birth certificate as evidence of change of name. More information about this process can be obtained on the Courts Service website.

Mar Aire, ní féidir liom trácht ar chásanna aonair. Mar eolas, tá curtha in iúl dom ag an Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí nach bhfuil aon reachtaíocht shonrach in Éirinn lena ndéantar socrú maidir le hainm duine aonair a athrú.

Tá curtha in iúl dom, má bhí aithne ar dhuine mar ainm eile ar feadh dhá bhliain ar a laghad, gur féidir leo féachaint le Cárta nua Seirbhísí Poiblí a chur á eisiúint leis an ainm sin.

Chun é sin a dhéanamh, ní foláir dóibh úsáid dhá bhliain dá n-ainm nua a thaispeáint – tugtar ‘úsáid agus iomrá’ air sin. Ní foláir dóibh freastal ar Ionad Clárúcháin Cártaí Seirbhísí Poiblí/Creat-Timpeallachta i gcomhair Fíordheimhniú Caighdeáin (PSC/SAFE) i bpearsa chun a n-ainm a chur á athrú mar go mbeidh síniú nua ag teastáil.

Ceanglaítear thairis sin dhá cheann ar a laghad de na doiciméid seo a leanas, ag dul siar dhá bhliain ar a laghad, a chur isteach:

• cumarsáid oifigiúil le roinn rialtais
• teastas oideachais
• ráiteas bainc nó cárta bainc
• bille fóntais
• cárta aitheantais mic léinn nó fostaí (nó a mhacasamhail)