Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an Irish citizen married to a United States citizen in the United States and returning to Ireland, whereby the spouse wishes to apply for a PPS number; the reason a person such as the spouse is not being provided with a PPS number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6124/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The PPS Number is a unique identifier for access to services provided by Government Departments and other public bodies. PPS Numbers are issued following a controlled allocation procedure to ensure that a person receives only one number and that the number is allocated on foot of information that is accurate and verified. Proof and evidence of identity is a vital element of the registration procedure and must be established before a PPS Number is allocated. The means by which a person may prove their identity varies according to the person's nationality.

There are, however, no nationality conditions attached to obtaining a PPS Number. Resident applicants, irrespective of their nationality, who have not previously been allocated a PPS Number should complete an Application Form (REG1), available only in our network of local offices and submit the appropriate proof of identity documents. Non-resident applicants, unable to attend one of our local offices, may make an application to the Client Identity Services Division of the Department.

If the Deputy wishes to forward details of the case in question, including the individual's personal details and the office where the application was made, the case will be examined to establish the reasons for the refusal.