Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on reports that his Department has discovered a significant level of fraud involving the use of bogus PPS numbers; if his Department has any estimate of the number of bogus PPS numbers issued; the steps being taken to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4706/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has responsibility for the management and administration of the PPS numbers. Since taking over this role from Revenue, we have monitored the use of numbers and enhanced our controls to minimise fraudulent use of them. In recent years, the changing nature of the labour force, in particular the growth in workers from abroad, has raised the need for different and enhanced controls over issuing and use of PPS numbers. My Department has introduced significantly enhanced procedures and controls in response to these changes. Recent media reports of significant levels of identity fraud are based on studies carried out before these changes were put in place.

Identity fraud is by its nature difficult to quantify and My Department does not have definite figures on the number of bogus PPS numbers. However, it is planned to carry out a fraud and error survey in the next number of months in order to create a baseline measure of the extent of fraud and error in relation to PPS numbers.

When applying for a PPS number, applicants are asked to complete an application form and supply documentation to establish their identity. Whenever doubts arise as to the authenticity of documentation presented by an applicant, staff contact a central help desk and can, if necessary, refer the identity documents for further examination. In 2005, my Department issued in excess of 270,000 PPS numbers. Of this total, just over 178,000 were allocated following an interview at one of my Department's local or branch offices. A total of 1,393 documents were referred to the central help desk for checking in 2005. Of these, 377 were found to have been forged or altered. The equivalent figure for 2004 is 324. In any case where documentation presented is found to have been compromised, no PPS number is allocated.

My Department set down certain procedures and controls to be followed by officers when dealing with PPS number applications. These procedures and controls are under constant review in line with my Department's operational strategy. Currently applications for PPS numbers can be made at any local office. Plans are being put in place to consolidate the number of centres dealing with applications for PPS numbers and it is intended, in the most cases, to have one office per county issuing numbers. It is also planned to give my Department's inspectors an expanded role in the monitoring of the use of PPS numbers. There are also plans to modernise the technical and communication structures supporting the process. These enhancements, taken together, will lead to improved expertise at local level and to more effective controls overall.

My Department is aware of its responsibility for the PPS number registration process, the overall value of the possession of the PPS number and the need for a robust control system to address concerns about identity fraud. Considerable progress has been made since the introduction of the PPS number and my Department will continue to develop and improve its processes and data in this regard.