Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2014
490. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legal provision that permits Irish Water to request and be provided with the PPS numbers of water customers; the reason it is necessary for customers to provide their PPS numbers to Irish Water; and if he will report on the way this personal data will be managed by Irish Water. [35295/14]
View answer499. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on Irish Water's data protection policy as stated on a website (details supplied); if the opinion of the Data Protection Commissioner was sought in regards to Irish Water's data protection policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35478/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 499 together.
In advance of the introduction of domestic water charges, the Government made certain decisions on 6 May 2014 relating to the structure of water charges including, inter alia, a free allowance per household and an additional free allowance for children on the same qualifying conditions as the Child Benefit payment from the Department of Social Protection.
As these allowances are to be funded by Government, Irish Water needs to ensure it has the appropriate and sufficient information to reflect these entitlements. The Personal Public Services (PPS) Numbers will be used by Irish Water to ensure that each household receives the free allowance it is entitled to, as well as any additional allowance for children in receipt of Child Benefit at that address. It will also facilitate Irish Water in providing reduced charges to owners who have unoccupied dwellings.
Irish Water is a specified body under section 20 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014 and is therefore permitted to request PPS numbers to authenticate the identity of the person being provided with an allowance. Irish Water will treat applicants’ personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that its data protection notice is fully compliant with Data Protection requirements and that it is in regular contact with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure this is the case.
