Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
205. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of public services cards distributed to international protection applicants in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the expiry date on PSC cards that were distributed in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22265/24]
View answerThe Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) is the unique reference number for transactions between individuals and Government Departments and other public service providers, and forms part of the Public Services Identity (PSI) data set.
Verification of a person’s identity is carried out during the SAFE Registration process following which a Public Services Card (PSC) is issued. A person’s immigration status is not collected during this process as it does not form part of the PSI data set.
As previously advised to the Deputy in my responses to Parliamentary Questions 330 (5339/23) and 121 (7618/12), on 2 and 15 February 2023 respectively, my Department does not collect data on the numbers of PPSNs allocated to international protection applicants. I can inform the Deputy therefore that my Department does not hold records of the number of PSCs issued to international protection applicants.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
