€210k to be spent on technical support for public services card

Heather Humphreys, the social protection minister: Department has not contacted data protection commissioner about contract.  Picture:Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is to spend €210,000 on technical support  for  its Standard Authentication Framework Environment (SAFE) programme, the administrative system behind the controversial public services card (PSC).

The three-year contract concerns expert opinion on the smart-card technology. The previous contract is due to expire in the coming months, said Heather Humphreys, the social protection minister.