Adults Encouraged To Sign Up For Public Services Card

All adults have been encouraged to sign up for the new Public Services Card (PSC), which enables the state to provide better public services at a reduced cost to taxpayers.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, made the call as he signed up for his PSC at D'Olier House in Dublin. The Minister also encouraged all those over the age of 18 who have not yet signed up for a PSC to do so at their earliest convenience.

The PSC is designed to assist people in accessing a range of Government services. Initially, this focused on social welfare payments such as Child and Jobseekers' Benefit, as well as the Free Travel Pass and State pensions. However, over time, it is being rolled out to other public services and will become the means by which access to public services will be verified and delivered in Ireland. There are already in excess of two million PSC card holders across the State, with the end goal being the issuing of a total of three million cards, to cover the entire population over 18-years-old.

Minister Donohoe said: "The Public Services Card acts as a key to more efficient and better-run public services. It enables the State to provide new and enhanced services to the public while also achieving efficiencies in administration and helping to eliminate fraud. The PSC is being rolled-out across our public services, with the technology contained within the card providing for the elimination of the duplication of identities or multiple benefit claims being made by individuals.

"The PSC is already an accepted form of photo identity for electoral purposes and all SUSI grant applicants and first-time adult passport applicants must now be SAFE registered. The Road Safety Authority and the National Treasury Management Agency are also developing plans for the process to support new drivers' license applicants and proof of identity for State Savings purposes. Work is also ongoing to establish how it might replace the Garda Age card in the future.

"A more unified approach to the delivery of our public services will enable more streamlined, digital and hassle free services for all who use our public services. It will also mean savings for the State, and a more effective working environment for our public servants. I am calling on all those over 18 years of age who have not yet signed up for a Public Services Card to do so today by making an appointment by logging on to www.mywelfare.ie or by calling into their local social welfare office."

(MH/LM)