Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015
268. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why the system of acquiring personal public service numbers for non-Irish citizens was changed recently, whereby such persons now have to pre-arrange an interview online; and the reason this change was not indicated beforehand on her Department's website. [38300/15]
View answerThe Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is an individual's unique reference number for all dealings with Government Departments and public bodies. Where a person is born in the State, a PPS Number is allocated at the time of birth registration. Where a person comes to the State and requires a PPS Number, they must attend at a PPS Number allocation centre. Before a PPS Number can be allocated, the person making the application must provide evidence of identity and demonstrate a valid reason for the application. PPS Numbers are issued by the Department following checks on an individual's identity. In addition, acceptable evidence of address must be provided. The process of allocating a PPS Number includes the capture of a photograph and signature. Photographs captured are compared with other photographs previously captured in order to detect any possible duplicates.
A booking service for appointments for PPS Number allocations is being gradually introduced across all PPS Number allocation centres. The PPS Number allocation centre for Dublin has moved to online bookings only because the number of persons turning up for allocations was resulting in long queues and delays, and some people being asked to return on an alternative date. Details of these operational changes at the Dublin PPS Number allocation centre were displayed in the centre for 10 days prior to the changes being implemented and were detailed on the Department’s website shortly afterwards.
Other PPS Number allocation centres which are operating a booking service may also deal with people who drop in without making an appointment where time slots are available.
