Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2016
252. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing applications for the free travel pass at the Bishop Street office of Intreo in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17993/16]
View answerThe purpose of the Public Services Card (PSC) is to enable individuals to gain access to public services more efficiently and with a minimum of duplication of effort, while at the same time preserving their privacy to the maximum extent possible. The PSC is designed to replace other cards within the public sector such as the free travel pass and the social services card of this Department and to make it easy for providers of public services to verify the identity of customers. Intreo Centre Bishops Square currently processes PSC applications for customers within the Dublin 6, 6W and 12 areas. Customers that are currently in receipt of a free travel pass but do not have a PSC are invited to attend a scheduled appointment to complete the SAFE process in Intreo Centre Bishops Square and when their PSC card issues it will incorporate their free travel pass. Department customers can also book an appointment online to apply for their PSC or alternatively they can walk in and book an appointment in the office. The issuing of PSCs with the free travel pass is an ongoing process in Intreo Centre Bishops Square and any delay in processing these applications is regrettable, however the Department is endeavouring to ensure that all its customers are facilitated with an appointment without any undue delay.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
