Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1126. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reopen services relating to public services cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18754/21]
View answer1133. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the situation with regard to the issuing of new public services cards; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons cannot get access to certain services, for example, applying for a learner’s permit due to public services cards which are needed to apply for same are not being issued at present; the alternatives to accessing services without a public services card that exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18979/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1126 and 1133 together.
At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily suspended Public Services Card (PSC) appointments and the online system used to manage those appointments. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and World Health Organisation guidelines and help protect the health and well-being of our customers and staff. Decisions regarding the reinstatement of these services have been made with regard to the importance of ensuring the continuing safety of customers and staff.PSC appointments are currently suspended due to the prevailing Level 5 restrictions, but appointments are available for urgent cases in circumstances where the customer has no alternative means of accessing public services other than by acquiring a PSC. So far this year, my Department has carried out over 14,000 PSC appointments in such cases.Any person urgently requiring a PSC should contact their local Intreo Centre.
Enquiries regarding accessing a particular service from another Departments is a matter for the relevant Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
