Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
175. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the current waiting list of persons applying for PPS numbers; and if she will consider increasing the personnel involved in processing these applications. [34503/20]
View answerThe SAFE registration process, which my Department uses to authenticate a person's identity when they apply for a PPSN is a face-to-face process, carried out in PPSN Centres across the country.
At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, my Department temporarily postponed the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken to comply with HSE and WHO guidelines in respect of social distancing.
To help ensure that those who required a PPSN could get one, my Department introduced an email and postal service through which applications could be made.
My Department has received, and continues to receive, significant volumes of email and post in relation to PPSN applications from people living in and outside the State.
The Level 5 restrictions currently in place mean a full resumption of the PPSN allocation service in local offices is not possible at this time.
In the interim, additional resources are being assigned to deal with the applications on hands and I expect this will result in an improved service for PPSN applicants.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
