Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
399. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made for PPS numbers in 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of applications processed in that time; the number of applications yet to be processed; the current average waiting time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32900/21]
View answerI can confirm that my Department approved 77,070 Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) applications in 2020 and 35,337 PPSN applications so far in 2021.
The SAFE registration process, which involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, is the normal method of processing an application for a PPSN.
At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily suspended the SAFE registration process and the online appointment system used to manage those registrations. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and World Health Organisation guidelines and help protect the health and well-being of our customers and staff.
Applications for PPSN were accepted through email and post from March 2020 to December 2020. In December 2020 an online PPSN application service was introduced on MyWelfare.ie, which replaced email and postal service.
My Department is currently processing 2,991 PPSN applications received through the MyWelfare.ie service. As SAFE registrations have resumed in all offices, many of these applicants will be required to SAFE register before they are issued their PPSN.
My Department is also examining emails received from 3,608 persons in respect of PPSN applications for individuals residing outside of Ireland for reasons such as probate, tax and the purchase of property. As many of these may be duplicate applications, it is not possible at this stage to state with certainty how many of this type of application are currently awaiting a decision.
Data in respect of average waiting times is not available as it is often the case that an application may involve correspondence between the Department and the applicant, for example, where insufficient information or documentation has been submitted in support of the application.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
