Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
1106. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to allow the public services card to be used as identification for customers of credit unions who have no other means of identification. [1416/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder current legislation, a Public Services Card (PSC) cannot be requested by any public or private body or person that is not designated as a specified body in Schedule 5 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended). The PSC can only be used by public bodies specified in this legislation when conducting a public transaction with the person concerned.
One of the provisions set out in Section 5 of the Social Welfare, Pensions, and Civil Registration Bill 2017 would, if enacted, enable citizens to volunteer their PSC where they wish to use it as a form of proof of identity and/or age. However, it is important to note that a non-specified body could not request or demand the production of a PSC. It simply gives individuals the option to use their PSC if they wish, as proof of identity and/or age, in transactions with non-specified bodies.
For the sake of clarity, therefore, the Deputy should note that this proposal in no way allows nor can a private sector body access the customer data on the card or on any Government database. It simply provides for the card be accepted as a form of identity verification by a private sector organisation or non-specified body - but only at the sole discretion of the card holder. It is believed that this approach gives power to the individual to control access to and use of their PSC.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
