Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
352. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm that there will be no requirement for the provision of a Personal Public Service Number for inclusion on the electoral register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32270/23]
View answerLocal authorities, in their capacity as registration authorities, are responsible for the management and maintenance of the electoral register. Under the Electoral Act 1992, as amended by the Electoral Reform Act 2022, a registration authority may, for the purposes of their duties in relation to the management and maintenance of the register, require a person to provide any information in their possession including, in respect of their own registration, a PPSN, date of birth and Eircode.
Providing the PPSN allows a basic identity data cross-check with the Department of Social Protection to confirm identity details helping to protect the accuracy and integrity of the register. The use of the PPSN allows electors to submit applications online via the checkteregister.ie website. PPSN’s are not be published on the electoral register and they will never be returned in a search on the checktheregister.ie website.
A person may still apply for entry onto the register without a PPSN by completing the ERF1 form and having it witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána or an official of the local authority; or where the person cannot attend one of these due to illness or disability, the form must be certified by a registered medical practitioner for example a general practitioner (GP) to confirm their identity.
