Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
402. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of public services cards issued during January to May 2021; if extra staffing arrangements will be put in place to deal with any backlog that arises as a result of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33025/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Public Services Card (PSC) appointments were suspended from the beginning of this year because of the Level 5 restrictions. However, appointments were made available for urgent cases in circumstances where the customer had no alternative means of accessing public services other than by acquiring a PSC, and a total of 19,891 such appointments were carried out between 1st January 2021 and 14th May 2021.
The Department has resumed appointments for all customers from Monday 17th May and any person who requires a PSC should contact their local Intreo Centre.
A total of 120,681 PSCs were issued between 1st January 2021 and 31st May 2021, of which
- 19,891 were issued following an appointment between 1st January and 14th May, inclusive,
- 8,891 were issued following an appointment between 17th May and 31st May, inclusive, and
- 91,899 were renewal or replacement Cards issued between 1st January and 31st May.
Additional staff are being assigned to increase the capacity in our offices in respect of such appointments, and that capacity will be increased over the coming weeks.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
