In An Action Programme for Government we promised to modernise public services to make them more relevant to the citizen. We committed to improving access to public services by providing them electronically. Progressing the use of the personal public service, or PPS, number as a public service identifier is a key element of our e-government strategy. Section 10 provides for five new agencies to be added to the list of specified bodies authorised by legislation to use the PPS number. The section further allows for including in this listing bodies established by the Minister for Education and Science under section 54 of the Education Act 1998, and provides for the sharing of information with an t-Údaras um Ard-Oideachas, the Higher Education Authority. This measure will lead to improved administrative efficiency and effectiveness across public service agencies and help to reduce bureaucracy and continue the process of eliminating red tape.