Minister Chambers launches public consultation and testing phase for Ireland’s new Government Digital Wallet
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Ó: An Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí, Bonneagair, Athchóiriúcháin Seirbhíse Poiblí agus Digitiúcháin
- Foilsithe: 3 Aibreán 2026
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 3 Aibreán 2026
The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER), Jack Chambers, and the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Frank Feighan, have today (03/04/2026) announced the launch of a public consultation and testing phase to help shape Ireland’s new Government Digital Wallet.
As part of the Digital Public Service Plan 2030, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation is leading on the digitalisation of the majority of public services including, for example, applying for social housing, obtaining a marriage certificate or registering for key welfare supports, such as the working family payment.
The Government Digital Wallet is a key part of this plan and is being developed to provide the public with a quick and easy way to store important documents on their phone.
It will mean that people can have digital versions of their birth cert, driving license, European health card, and other official documents stored safely and securely in a digital wallet on their mobile. This will make it much easier to access public services and verify identity both online and in person.
As well as being a safe and secure way to store documents, it will reduce the need to repeat the same information to different government departments and make everyday interactions with government departments, more seamless.
Today’s announcement represents the next phase of the development of Ireland’s Government Digital Wallet and will consist of consultation with the public and other key stakeholders to inform its development. It will also see testing of the wallet with the public, on an opt-in basis, commencing shortly.
This phase is critical if the State is to deliver a Digital Wallet to the public, that is designed to satisfy user needs and expectations, and that meets Ireland’s legal obligations under the EU’s eIDAS 2 Regulation.
This Regulation mandates that all Member States must make available a Digital Wallet by end of 2026. The legislative work is being led by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport (DCCS) and together with colleagues from DPER and the Department of Social Protection (DSP), work is ongoing to this element of the project.
Speaking today, the Minister Chambers said:
“I am delighted to launch a public consultation and testing phase which will inform the development of a Digital Wallet. This will make it simpler for people to verify their identity, apply for supports, and access entitlements.
“The Wallet is designed so that all personal data is fully protected, and the user stays in control of what information they put in the Wallet and choose to share. Only the details needed for a service will be shared, and nothing more.
“Big life events, such as having a baby, moving home, or starting a new job often require dealing with several different public service providers. The Digital Wallet aims to reduce that administrative burden, making it easier, faster and more secure to access the supports people need.
“This testing and consultation phase is an important step in building a digital wallet that genuinely works for people. We want to hear the public’s ideas, concerns, and expectations. The public’s feedback will directly shape how the wallet looks, how it works, and how it supports everyday life.”
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Frank Feighan, added:
“I am delighted to be launching the testing phase of Ireland’s new Digital Wallet today. The Digital Wallet will be a crucial element of the government’s overall portfolio of digital services, allowing users to access a range of government-issued documents digitally, saving time while providing a secure place to store important documents.
"It will be able to facilitate secure age verification capability as set out in Digital Ireland and the implementation of the Online Safety Code, under which designated platforms must have age verification measures in place to help protect, in particular, children and young people from online harm.
"Importantly, this testing phase will inform the development of the Digital Wallet, ensuring that the public find it user-friendly and that it is delivered to the highest standard in a way the public can trust.”
As part of the initial phase of the consultation members of the public can have their say and register to be part of the testing phase at gov.ie/DigitalWallet.
This page will remain live for the foreseeable future, and the department will provide further updates through the campaign page and via its social media and other channels in the coming weeks and months.
Notes
The digital wallet in Ireland is part of a broader EU wide move towards an EU Digital Identity Wallet.
It supports the government's National Digital and AI Strategy: Digital Ireland - Connecting our People, Securing our Future and is a key element of the Better Public Services Transformation Strategy.