376. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the specific safeguards that will prevent the Government digital wallet from becoming a de facto mandatory access mechanism for public services. [45845/26]

The Government Digital Wallet is being developed in line with the EU eIDAS 2 Regulation, which requires the State to make a Digital Wallet available, however, its use by citizens is voluntary.

As per the Regulation (eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1183/oj/eng), “The use of European Digital Identity Wallets shall be voluntary. Access to public and private services, access to the labour market and freedom to conduct business shall not in any way be restricted or made disadvantageous to natural or legal persons that do not use European Digital Identity Wallets. It shall remain possible to access public and private services by other existing identification and authentication means.”

Responsibility for ensuring that this is adhered to as the use of the wallet in integrated with any given service will lie with the provider of that service in the first instance, with the measures needed to ensure that the wallet remains genuinely optional for service users needing to be assessed on a case by case basis.

Consistent with wider Government policy on digital public services, Ireland operates a “digital first, not digital only” approach. This ensures that individuals who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally will continue to have access to services through alternative channels, including in-person and telephone supports.

Further information about the wallet is available at the following FAQ link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/publications/government-digital-wallet-your-questions-answered/.