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Personal Public Service Numbers

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Ceisteanna (393, 419)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

393. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the processing times for client identity applications for persons requiring PPS numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31047/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

419. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is expected that PPSN applications from outside the State will resume; her views on the fact that the current pause in such applications has severely impacted business in areas such as property sales; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31535/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 419 together.

The SAFE registration process, which my Department uses to authenticate a person's identity when they apply for a PPSN is a face-to-face process, carried out in PPSN Centres across the country.

At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, my Department temporarily postponed the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken to comply with HSE and WHO guidelines in respect of social distancing.

To help ensure that those who required a PPSN could get one, my Department introduced an email and postal service through which applications could be made.

MY Department has received, and continues to receive, significant volumes of email and post in relation to PPSN applications from people living in and outside the State. Data on the processing times of these applications are not currently available.

My Department was working towards a full resumption of the PPSN allocation service in local offices over this week but the Level 5 restrictions announced by the Government yesterday evening mean this is not now possible at this stage.

In the interim, additional resources are being assigned to deal with the applications on hands and I expect this will result in an improved service for PPSN applicants.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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