A Public Services Card is a physical token that may be issued to a person once they successfully complete a SAFE 2 identity verification process.
SAFE 2 identity verification is currently required for:
- Access to Social Welfare Services (including Child Benefit and Treatment Benefits)
- First time adult passport applicants in the state
- Replacement of lost, stolen or damaged passports issued prior to January 2005, where the person is resident in the State
- Citizenship applications
- Driver Theory Test Applicants
- Access to high value or personal online public services, e.g. my Department’s MyWelfare and Revenue’s MyAccount services via MyGovID, the identity authentication mechanism for accessing public services online.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform recently published the eGovernment Strategy 2017–2020. It lists a number of public services for which SAFE 2
identity verification will be required in the near future at http://egovstrategy.gov.ie/annex-b/.
Others are likely to be listed in the future.
Full details on SAFE 2, the Public Services Card and the services for which they will be required are set out in my Department’s “Comprehensive Guide to SAFE Registration and the Public Services Card” which is published on its website at:
http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/DEASP_Comprehensive_Guide_to_SAFE_Registration_and_the_PSC.pdf
While issues relating to the Post Office are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, I am unaware of a requirement to use a PSC when opening a post office account.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.