Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
135. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason cash will no longer be accepted at the passport service public counters from 15 July 2019; if credit or debit card information presented on the application form will be accepted for means of payment without the card to hand at the counters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33604/19]
View answerAs of 15 July 2019, cash is no longer accepted at the Passport Service public counters in Dublin and Cork. Payments can be made via Credit/Debit card, Postal order or Bank Draft.
This decision is in line with the National Payments Plan, which aims to increase the use of secure and efficient electronic payments methods and reduce reliance on cash. The removal of cash from the public office will serve to increase staff security and safety, to improve efficiencies, to simplify account and record management, to reduce the risk of fraud, loss or error and to reduce costs.
Cash will still be accepted as payment for passport applications submitted via the Passport Express channel at post offices across the country.
Credit /Debit card information presented on the passport application form can only be accepted for means of payment if the customer has the card to hand at the counter appointment. This is because the card needs to be inserted into the chip and pin payment system to be correctly processed and for payment to be accepted.
