Higher prices for the renewal of ID cards will only come into force once the new ID cards are issued, the Government said yesterday.

It was clarifying Legal Notice 309 of 2012 which, it said, “legally could be understood otherwise”.

The Government said the increased prices will come into effect once the new ID cards are unveiled and the higher expense reflected the “additional processes” that will come with them.

This includes more safety features for the card itself.

“Until another notice is issued, the rates existing up to December 31 will continue to apply,” the Government said.

Labour’s One News yesterday reported that people were already being charged €21 instead of the previous price of €3.50.