Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the public services card framework using the personal public service number will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11898/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department and the Department of Finance are managing a programme of work to develop a framework within which public service cards could be deployed. Following approval from Government in June 2004, this programme of work was commenced to develop a standards based framework for public service cards using the personal public service number, PPSN, as a unique identifier. The programme is known as SAFE, standard authentication framework environment.

An interdepartmental steering group was established, in September 2004, to develop the framework. The steering group is made up of representatives of 12 Departments and the Reach Agency. The group, which is jointly chaired by the two Departments, has met on six occasions. The primary output from the programme will take the form of a standard that sets out the business principles, rules and other requirements for all future cards and tokens issued by public service agencies. The term "framework" is being used to emphasise that a single public service card is not envisaged but rather a branded standard within which individual initiatives can operate.

One of the objectives of SAFE is to facilitate convergence over time of existing cards and other tokens under a single branded scheme. The individual customer will benefit from a reduction in the number of tokens required and from enhanced control of the use of his or her data. Agencies can benefit from the streamlining of existing schemes and sharing of administrative costs.

The proposed framework has been agreed in principle by the steering group and detailed drafting is under way. This will accompany a memorandum to Government which will also address future phases of work, including convergence issues and a communication and consultation programme. While the deployment of specific applications will continue to be the responsibility of individual agencies, it is proposed that these will be co-ordinated under the overall programme.