Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
65. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide any analysis of use cases and business cases formulated by his Department regarding expanding the use of the Public Services Card prior to the initiation of the Social Welfare and Other Matters Bill (2026); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46266/26]
View answerOver the years, my Department has been asked why the Public Services Card (PSC), which is a card issued by Government cannot be used by the cardholder to prove their identity, if they wish to do so, whereas other Government issued documents, such as a driving licence or passport, can be used in this manner.
SAFE registration is the process used by my department to authenticate a person's identity. To become SAFE registered, the person must provide evidence of their identity and address, and their photo and signature are captured. To date, almost 5 million people have verified their identities through the SAFE registration process. Once a person is SAFE registered it is easier for providers of public services to verify the identity of customers in person and online.
A PSC is the token issued on completion of a SAFE registration process and evidence of a substantial level of assurance of identity.
Currently, it is an offence for any person or organisation other than those specified in social welfare law to request or accept a PSC as proof of identity. Under the scheme of the Social Welfare and Other Matters Bill 2026, I am proposing that a PSC holder will be allowed to use their PSC card for identity purposes, at his or her own discretion, in exactly the same way as they can use a driving licence or passport. The Bill provides that in instances where a person chooses to use their PSC as a form identity, the organisation who accepts the card as such proof will no longer be guilty of an offence.
Importantly, the legislation which restricts the bodies or organisations who can request a PSC from an individual is not being changed. This means that it remains the case that only those bodies or organisations specified in social welfare law may request a PSC. This safeguard continues in place.
The PSC does not currently display a cardholder’s date of birth. The proposed legislation also includes provisions for a cardholder to opt to have their date of birth inscribed on their PSC, and to subsequently opt, at any time, to have their date of birth removed.
I am very mindful of the cost a person incurs when they get, or renew, a passport or driver’s licence. One of the benefits of the PSC is that it is available free of charge. There is no fee associated with getting, or renewing, a PSC. My department receives queries from card holders, as well as political representatives, asking why it is not possible to use a PSC to verify their identity. Cardholders have expressed a wish to use their PSC to verify their identity for purposes such as opening a bank or credit union account, or for utility contract purposes, and they simply do not possess, or in some instances cannot afford, the alternative accepted forms of identity.
The legislative changes proposed in the Social Welfare and Other Matters Bill, 2026, will assist people in those very situations where they wish to use their PSC for identity purposes.
Further, it is only those individuals themselves who can choose if, or when, to use their PSC for such purposes.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
