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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Jun 1988

Vol. 382 No. 11

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Issuing of RSI Numbers.

10.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will introduce new arrangements to control the issuing of RSI numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Revenue and Social Insurance Number, known as the RSI Number, is used by both my Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners for the purpose of identifying people within the social insurance and tax systems. At present, the issuing of RSI numbers is done by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

Up to now, the integrity of the number system has depended to a large extent on the compliance of the individual with the requirement that he or she only apply for registration to the Revenue Commissioners once in a lifetime; and that he or she then faithfully quotes this number in all relevant transactions. Over the years, a significant number of instances have arisen where individuals have re-registered and succeeded in getting one or more additional numbers. This has caused problems for the Revenue Commissioners in associating separate incomes from different occupations and for the Department of Social Welfare in compiling fully comprehensive records of social insurance contributions.

In the context of the ongoing drive to combat fraud and in order to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in administration, my Department are at present taking steps to improve the arrangements for controlling the issuing of RSI numbers. I am examining this issue at present and expect to be in a position to announce to my new plans shortly.

In addition, new procedures are being devised within my Department in order to improve the quality of the existing records, mainly the identification of existing duplicate records and the linking of separate records belonging to the same person.

The extension of social insurance to the self-employed is also affording an opportunity to improve the situation in so far as my Department are handling the registration of new entrants to the system and are linking the current registrations, where appropriate, with people's previous records of social insurance as employees.

Will the Minister agree with me that in the absence of a national identity card the RSI number is probably the only way we will be able to police the revenue and social welfare systems? Would he agree also that it is desirable that his Department, as the Craig Gardner consultants recommended, should be the issuing authority for these numbers and would he further agree that everybody from the age of 16 onwards should be issued with an RSI number even if they are at school?

In general I would be in agreement with the Deputy. I am discussing these matters with the Revenue Commissioners and others involved at present.

I would like to bring to the Minister's attention the fact that RSI numbers are now freely available because the Revenue Commissioners are circulating the tax forms for the current year in plastic transparent bags, so that not alone the name and address of the person concerned can be identified but also the RSI number, and this could be highly dangerous. It is a breach of confidentiality. I would ask the Minister to consult with his colleague, the Minister for Finance, to have this matter rectified.

I will take a note of that.

Is the Minister's computerisation programme having any telling effects on the problem within the Department?

In terms of identification it certainly is, in that it provides checks and cross-codification. If at the same time we can ensure that the issuing of the number in the first instance is made somewhat more secure then we will have a much better situation.

We will now proceed to deal with Questions nominated for priority.

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