Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Department of Social Protection is phasing out PPS numbers which have a second letter - W - at the end. Such numbers were allocated to females in the past. Certain females who registered for PPS numbers prior to 2000 were allocated the same numbers as their husbands, with the letter "W" included at the end. These numbers are being phased out in certain circumstances. For example, in instances where a husband is deceased, a divorce or separation has occurred, or where there is a pre-1979 consideration, new numbers must be provided. When those affected receive new numbers, they are required to download and complete a form and return it to the Revenue Commissioners in order to notify them that their numbers have been changed. Some women came to my constituency office in Carrick-on-Suir in the past week and indicated that when they handed in their existing identity cards and tried to claim carer's allowance, they were informed that they had disappeared from the system and that their previous PPS numbers were no longer valid. Furthermore, they were informed that their old cards were being withdrawn, even though their new ones had yet not issued. This matter has been handled badly. Those in receipt of carer's allowance have already been affected and when those with medical cards seek to renew them, they will be informed their PPS numbers are no longer in use. This is because the onus will be on them to notify the medical card section of the HSE of their new numbers. In addition, their tax affairs will no longer be in order. Given that the change affects people registered pre-1979, the majority of those involved are elderly females. Many of the women concerned are not computer literate and not able to download from the Department's website the form necessary to inform Revenue that they have been issued with new PPS numbers. As a result of what has happened, payments have been withheld. I was visited by individuals earlier in the week who had been obliged to go to their community welfare officers in order to obtain payment.