Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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137. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners are requesting those with personal public service numbers similar to their spouse's but ending with the additional letter 'W' to have new personal public service numbers issued to them by the Department of Social Protection; if so, the reason this is necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19642/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the Revenue Commissioners are, in certain limited circumstances, requesting those with PPS numbers similar to their spouses but ending with the additional letter W (i.e. 'W numbers') to have new PPS numbers issued to them by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). 

The circumstances when a customer is asked by Revenue to get a new PPSN include, when they commence employment, when there is a separation or when the 'main' PPSN is no longer in use as happens on the death of their spouse.  

The vast majority of people nowadays are using their own number.  The process of replacing a PPSN is relatively straightforward.  The service is provided by the Client Identity Section (CIS) in the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and they can be contacted by telephone at 1890 927999.  DSP subsequently informs Revenue of the change. 

I am advised by Revenue that as part of the changeover process, CIS verifies the identity of the individual, secures their consent, removes the existing 'W number' and replaces it with either a new number or one that the individual may have had prior to marriage.  In addition, all pre-existing records relating to that individual are transferred over to the new PPSN.  Once completed, a letter advising of the new PPSN is issued to the individual at their home address.