All applicants for unemployment payments must supply proof of identification when making a claim. This requirement is applied to all customers in a consistent manner irrespective of their nationality. The customer will normally be asked to supply either a long version of his or her birth certificate or passport and one of the following: social services card, driving licence, post office, bank, building society or credit union book, bank card or rent book. In the case of non-national customers who, through particular circumstances, may not be in a position to produce a birth certificate or passport, a national identity card or a certificate of registration with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform may be acceptable. Where necessary, photocopies of documents are taken. However, where photographic ID has been presented, permission to make a photocopy is first requested of the customer.
If there is any doubt as to the authenticity of documents supplied in support of an application, the documents will be retained by officials of my Department until they can be validated and the customer is issued with a receipt. Once validated they will be returned to the customer as soon as possible. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind I will be happy to look into the circumstances if the relevant details are supplied.