Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 5

Written Answers. - Public Service Card.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

42 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the procedures, if any, he intends to put in place to monitor the operation of the public service card, having regard to the concerns expressed by a number of groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14340/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

As the Deputy will be aware, provision for the introduction of a public service card was made in the Social Welfare Act, 1998. The primary purpose of this card is to act as a permanent record of the cardholder's personal public service number (PPSN), facilitating rapid access to a wide range of public services and capable of being used in the future to support the delivery of payments.

My Department is now undertaking a process of consultation with the other public service bodies specified in the Act to see how best the card might be used to improve the quality of service offered by the State to its citizens. It will be some time, however, before the card actually comes into operation.

The introduction of the personal public service number and of the public service card will enable a more efficient sharing of information between Government Departments and agencies in the administration of public services. This presents a major opportunity to significantly improve the quality of customer service, eliminate wasteful duplication and improve the control of fraud and abuse. The Act is quite specific regarding the purposes for which information can be shared and the provisions of the Data Protection Act will be fully applied in the context of any developments in this regard.

The operation of the card will be subject to monitoring and review by the management group established to promote the integrated social services system (ISSS). If data protection issues arise, these will be discussed with the Data Protection Commissioner. The commissioner is empowered to investigate independently any aspect of the use of the card which may be of concern to him.