Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he is taking to ensure that persons seeking PPS numbers are genuine applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4794/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department assumed responsibility for the allocation of PPS Numbers in June 2000. Because the PPS Number is a unique identifier for access to services provided by Government Departments and other public bodies it is essential to have effective controls around the PPS Number registration process. Controls are exercised at both the initial allocation stage and at subsequent stages in the lifecycle of the number.

A PPS Number is automatically issued in the case of children born in Ireland. In other cases application must be made in person at one of the Department's network of Local Offices. PPS Numbers are issued following a controlled allocation procedure, involving

personal attendance at the office,

the completion of a written application form,

the submission of appropriate identity documents proving identity and address.

In order to ensure that a person receives only one number and that the number is allocated on information that is accurate and verified, certain operational procedures are prescribed for local office personnel when dealing with applications. Proof and evidence of identity is a vital element of the allocation process. Client Identity Services (CIS) is the section in the Department that has a central role in developing and maintaining expertise in the area of questioned document examination through contact and liaison with national and international experts in this field and in turn, passing this expertise on through provision of appropriate training and issuing of guidelines. A help desk is also operated, allowing any issuing office to phone in with details of a suspect document. Many suspect documents can be cleared in this manner, avoiding the necessity of referring them to CIS for physical examination. Nonetheless, documents do sometimes have to be referred for physical examination and authentication.

My Department carries out post-allocation audits and surveys to detect cases of bogus identity which have not been detected using the pre-allocation measures. In terms of overall fraud, a recent survey of the PPS Number registration process highlighted pre- and post-allocation fraud rates of 0.5%. Overall, while there can be no acceptable level of fraud, it is equally the case that achieving a zero level of identity fraud will, realistically, always remain an aspiration. A rate of 1% or less is low and would indicate that fraud detection methods are effective.

Initiatives designed to improve the PPS Number registration process have already begun. In particular, the concentration of expertise in a reduced number of PPS Number allocation centres together with tougher legislative measures introduced in the Social Welfare Act 2007 should significantly enhance the Department's ability to control identity fraud.