256. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the timetable for the extension of online appointment booking for Public Services Card registration to all offices at which that service is provided; and the criteria applied in determining the order in which offices are brought onto that facility. [66054/26]

258. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the offices at which an appointment for Public Services Card registration may be booked online through MyWelfare.ie; the offices at which registration is available on a walk-in basis only; and the number of such appointments booked online in each of the years 2024 and 2025 and in the period 1 January 2026 to 1 July 2026, in tabular form. [66052/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 258 together.

My Department authenticates identity for the purposes of allocating a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) and/or a Public Services Card (PSC) through the Standard Authentication Framework Environment (SAFE) Registration process.

To ensure best customer service and maximum use of SAFE registration capacity, a combination of walk-in services, appointment service, and online services is available.

In-person services are available at the offices listed at Table 1.

My Department launched an online appointment booking service through MyWelfare in January 2026 for people applying for a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number. From 30 January 2026 to 1 July 2026 54,867 PPSN appointments were booked online through MyWelfare. The implementation of a PSC appointment system is currently being examined.

Customers who require a PPSN can book an appointment at a location that suits them best, at a date and time that is convenient to them, subject to availability. If a person needs to cancel or amend an existing appointment and make a new appointment at the same or a different location, they can log on to their MyWelfare dashboard and make the change there.

If a person already has a PPSN and wishes to apply for a Public Services Card (PSC) for the first time they can avail of a walk in service and do not need to make an appointment. If the person wishes to make an appointment they can do so by contacting the office of their choice. It is important to note that if the person has a current Irish Passport and wishes to apply for a PSC for the first time they can apply online through MyGovID and do not need to attend an in-person appointment.

Customers who have a verified MyGovID account can renew their Public Services Card (PSC) online through MyWelfare.ie, removing the need to attend in person. However they also have the option of attending in person.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Table 1