Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Feb 1990

Vol. 396 No. 2

Written Answers. - Social Welfare and Revenue Data.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

19 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the studies undertaken by his Department on the possibility of great integration of social welfare and revenue data; the studies expected to be undertaken on that subject in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The function of collecting PRSI was transferred from my Department to the office of the Collector General of the Revenue Commissioners in 1979. Since then a joint collection system, the PAYEPRSI system, has been in operation for collecting tax and PRSI. Also, a common registration number, known as the RSI number, that is revenue social insurance number, has been used by the two organisations.

In the context of the ongoing drive to combat fraud and the achievement of greater efficiency and effectiveness in overall administration, the possibility of greater integration of revenue and social welfare data has been kept constantly under review in the meantime. In this regard periodic meetings of a joint social welfare — revenue executive group take place about four times a year and various studies have been conducted in recent years which have specifically addressed the question of greater integration. This work will be ongoing in 1990.

A working party, consisting of officials of my Department and the office of the Revenue Commissioners carried out a special review of certain aspects of the system. Areas were identified which, it was decided, should be addressed with the aim of improving the identification of clients. These areas were mainly the elimination of multiple RSI numbers for individuals and the resolution of PRSI records which could not be fully processed because of the absence of adequate identification details on employer returns.

Two major studies were carried out in my Department in recent years with the aid of management consultants. One of these related to the redesign of the central records system and the other was in connection with a security review of the Department's payment systems. Both studies recommended that RSI number registration which was assigned to Revenue in 1979 was a function which would be more appropriate to have carried out in Social Welfare. Arising from this recommendation, officials of my Department and of the Revenue Commissioners have been having discussions on the arrangements for transferring RSI number registration to the Department of Social Welfare. These discussions are now nearing completion and the necessary computer development work and other arrangements involved in the change are being planned and scheduled.

Further studies will be undertaken as necessary and the ongoing contacts at working group level will continue.