Vol. 559 No. 5
334 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the possible future role of the PPS number and card as an identification card beyond that of social welfare or revenue but encompassing issues such as proof of age for the sale of tobacco or alcohol products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26341/02]
The Government has established the REACH organisation, a cross-departmental agency with the remit of improving the delivery of all public services, in particular by developing and promoting the public service broker as a means of electronic delivery. It has recently publicly launched the PPS number as the identifier for public services.
As part of the e-Government initiative, all sectors of the public service, including my Department and its agencies, are looking at ways of improving collaboration and integration to improve their service, whether directly to members of the public or by way of greater efficiency to the taxpayer in general. This may well involve an extension of the current use of the PPSN.
At present the age card, based on the person's birth certificate, passport sized photographs and authenticated by their local Garda station, does not carry the PPS number nor is there any need for it to do so to fulfill its function.
