450 people had welfare payments suspended

The Department of Social Protection suspended the welfare payments of about 450 people who failed to go through an identity registration process for the public services card (PSC), it has emerged.

Officials from the department appearing before an Oireachtas committee said much of the negative commentary concerning the PSC has been “misleading” and “incorrect” and repeatedly drew attention to the media reportage that has been directed at the project.

“There has been too much emphasis on the card,” said official Tim Duggan.