The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is urging people over the age of 18 to sign up to the Public Services Card – which is designed to assist people in accessing a range of Government services.

The card aims to enable the State to provide better public services at reduced cost to taxpayer.

It was initially designed to focus on social welfare payments, but it is being rolled out to other public services with over two million people already signed up.

Paschal Donohoe has said the card will cut down on multiple benefit claims being made by individuals. 

“In fraud alone, since 2012, we estimate that we have saved over €2m, because a significant challenge we had was one individual making multiple claims, under multiple different identities.

“Now, by having a single card, we reduce the ability for that to happen.”