Publication
Safe registration for Public Services Card and PPSN Allocation
From Department of Social Protection
Published at
Last updated
Since March, the Department has experienced a huge demand for our services, in particular for Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSN) as well as Public Services Cards (PSC). These services normally involve a visit to our offices.
In line with Health Service Executive (HSE) and World Health Organisation (WHO) advice around social distancing these appointments were suspended.
The Department has now reopened the PSC service in the majority of our offices across the country, details of which are available here .
To get a PSC you must attend a SAFE Registration appointment which is used by the Department to authenticate a person’s identity and can be used to prove your identity when you access public services in Ireland. It also protects you against identity theft in respect of those services.
Safe registration is a requirement for the receipt of a payment from the Department. You will be invited to attend an appointment at your local office, if you are unable to attend we would ask that you contact the office and an alternative appointment will be made.
If you are not in receipt of a payment and wish to obtain a PSC, please contact your local office by phone or email to request an appointment.
If you have an entitlement to Free Travel under any of the Department’s related supports (e.g. Disability Allowance, Invalidity, State Pension, Carers etc.) you need to attend a SAFE Registration Appointment to activate your access to Free Travel.
Once you have registered, you will be posted your PSC which will have your photograph on it and a contactless chip which will allow you to avail of free travel on all forms of public transport.
You may contact your local office to arrange a mutually convenient time for your appointment.
If you require a PPSN, information on the current application process is available here.
