Department behind Public Services Card insists it does not track biometric data

Biometrics relate to data which can identify a person by their physiological characteristics, such as a photo or a fingerprint. Every Public Services Card contains the photograph of the individual in question.

The head of the department behind the controversial Public Services Card (PSC) has insisted his department does not track biometric data ahead of the publication of a report on the matter.

Secretary general of the Department of Social Protection John McKeon told the Public Accounts Committee “there is no biometric information on the card, we don’t track biometric information”.