Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he is satisfied with the procedures in place regarding the issuing of PPS numbers to foreign nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26256/07]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he is taking to ensure the integrity of the issuing of PPS numbers to foreign nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26255/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 126 together.

The Personal Public Service Number is an individual's unique reference number for dealings with Government Departments and public bodies. My Department assumed sole responsibility for the registration of customers and subsequent allocation of PPS Numbers in June 2000. At that time and to facilitate customer service, all Local and Branch Offices were delegated the task of registering applicants for these numbers. However, due to the significant increases in the detection of identity fraud and misrepresentation of documents, my Department decided to rationalise the process to specially designated registration centres. Significant progress has been made to date with 13 Centres established outside Dublin. The remaining Centres will be established in 2008. In addition, 4 Centres have been established in Dublin, these will be amalgamated to 1 centre when new accommodation comes on stream in 2009. This approach was acknowledged as a step towards improving control during a recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General's Office.

As centres are established, emphasis is placed on specialised training and equipment and the development of expertise for the task of registering new customers. As a result, Departmental officials are becoming more effective in detecting false documentation and bogus applications. Consequently there has been an increase in the number of customers prosecuted who were attempting to obtain a PPS number fraudulently. The establishment of these centres is also facilitating the introduction of an improved and more specialised customer service to those seeking a PPS number.

It is necessary to have effective controls around the PPS Number registration process to guard against fraud and to protect the integrity of data under my Department's control. Processes are in place to ensure that a person receives only one number, and that the number is allocated based on information that is accurate and verified. Applicants for PPS Numbers are asked to present themselves at one of the Department's offices, complete an application form and supply documentation to establish their identity. These processes apply regardless of the nationality of the applicant.

Evidence of identity is a vital element of the allocation process. My Department has a dedicated section dealing with identity fraud in PPS No. allocations. The staff in this section receives training in the area of document fraud from a number of sources, including the relevant issuing authorities, via their embassies, and from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). This section operates a full time help desk facility for front line staff and provides training and support to them in dealing with identity issues.

In addition to the central help desk facility, plans are in place to expand the role of my Department's inspectorate in identity work, increasing its focus on the issue of hijacked and bogus identities, as well as improving the support to local offices involved in registering applications for PPS numbers.

The Department has also introduced legislation to greatly enhance its ability to deal with fraudulent applications. Under Section 32(ii) of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 the Department can now retain documents including a passport, visa, identity card, driving licence, birth certificate or marriage certificate or any other document establishing a person's identity or nationality, for checking. As well as the power to retain identity documents for examination, the 2007 Act introduced increased penalties for fraudulent application for a PPS Number.

I am committed to the highest standards of control in the allocation of the numbers and to an efficient and effective management of the issue of identity fraud.