Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2017
163. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the document which will satisfy his Department regarding passport applications by stateless persons who may be entitled to citizenship but not a public services card. [22443/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, all passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her.
As of 29 March 2016 all first-time passport applicants aged eighteen and above who are resident in Ireland are required to present a photocopy of their individual Public Services Card (PSC) for identification purposes.
The measure has been important in enhancing protection against fraud and identity theft and in upholding the integrity of the Irish passport. It also ensures that the identity of first-time applicants for Irish passports continues to be verified to a high standard.
First-time adult passport applicants who do not currently have a PSC can obtain one through a secure process of in-person registration via their local Department of Social Protection office. Details of documents needed to complete the PSC registration process and of an online appointment booking service are available via the website www.MyWelfare.ie.
