Government to get access to citizens’ personal data

CITIZENS’ personal details will be accessible across a range of Government departments from a central State database in the New Year.

The controversial move to cut down on red tape and form-filling across the public service will spark civil liberties concerns about access to personal data.

Work on the cross-departmental database of personal records is nearing completion and is expected to be up and running in early 2003.

Everybody will eventually have a personal identification number and electronic card for dealing with the public services.

In recent years, the Personal Public Service Number (PPS Number) - an individuals unique identification number - has replaced the Revenue Social Insurance (RSI number) for getting welfare entitlements.

The Department of Health and the Department of Education have also started to use the PPS numbers system for some schemes.

But a broad range of other public services and Government departments will now come on board. From next year, PPS numbers will be used for everything from tax returns to driving licence and passport applications.

Eventually, it is expected that dealings with county councils will also be done using PPS numbers. Effectively, people will use the numbers from birth for every dealing with the public service.

The system is under development for the past two years by Reach, the Government’s cross-departmental agency set up to form links between State services and PPS numbers are issued and controlled by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

Safety of personal data and protection of the system is a major issue and the department will be using additional safeguards, including ensuring adequate proofs of identity

Last night, a Social Welfare Department spokesperson said the system will cut down on red tape in the public service.

shorten the length of time dealing with departments and agencies and speed up delivery of services.

“From now on this number will be of huge benefit, The purpose of it is that people will be able to use it across all departments,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, social welfare payments for widows aged less than 66 with children are set to be increased.

Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Coughlan said she will be focusing on this social welfare payment category and expects the support of the Government in the move.

“There are a few anomalies there I'd like to address and bring the payments up to the same as the widow of 66 and over,” she said.

The minister is also gearing up for the launch next month of the Personal Retirement Savings Accounts, which The PRSA scheme is intended to increase the level of pension coverage among lower-paid workers, part-time workers, contract workers and the self-employed.

“We all want a quality of life when we retire. One of the greatest concerns, and one which has been appreciated by the previous Government, is the absolute necessity to support the pension funds. Marrying that concern is the very frightening figures that 40% of woman and 50% of men have occupational pensions and few under the age of 30.

“That is why we are going to very much focus on the PRSAs,” she said.