Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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410. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 939 of 20 March 2018 if her Department holds biometric data on individuals in possession of a public services card in view of the fact that a recent e-tender (details supplied) for the provision of facial recognition software for the public services card explicitly states that the supplier must provide the tools and processes to migrate up to 4 million biographic and face biometric records from the legacy system database to the new system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18565/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The use of facial matching technology has been successfully employed by the Department for a number of years. What is proposed, in the context of this competitive tender process, is a continuation and upgrade of this existing technology.

The Public Services Card does not store biometrics. While the card does store the person’s photograph and it appears on the card, it does not store the biometric or arithmetic template of that photograph. Nor is the biometric or arithmetic template of the photo stored in the PSI dataset or shared with other public bodies.

My Department uses facial image matching software to strengthen the SAFEregistration process. The normal digital photograph in JPEG format is captured during the SAFEregistration process and is inputted into and stored in this facial image matching software. It is then modelled and searched against the Department’s photo database to ensure that the person in the photograph has not already been registered using a different Personal Public Service Number or a different identity dataset.

The software compares photographs by converting the image into an arithmetic template based on the individual’s facial characteristics and checking it against the other image templates already held in that software’s database from other SAFEregistrations. It is a similar approach to that taken by the Passport Office in its systems when processing passport applications/renewals.

The arithmetic models behind the photographs are never stored on the PSC or in the Public Service Identity dataset. They are stored only in the facial image matching software’s database held in the Department’s own secure data centres.

The Department does not ask for or collect biometric data from our customers e.g. fingerprints or retinal scans. Neither does it use advanced facial mapping cameras when taking the photo as part of the SAFE registration process. The process involves the digital photos collected being passed through a piece of facial matching software to detect and prevent error or suspected fraudulent activity.

The database mentioned in the facial image matching tender is referring to a dedicated facial matching server which is hosted in a secure site within the Department. Facial templates are loaded to a dedicated facial matcher server.

The current matching system is over 5 years old and upgrading the system will result in achieving significantly improved matching accuracy which, in turn, will lead to increased efficiencies and effectiveness for the Department. The process will involve the application of the upgraded algorithm to all of the facial templates currently on the facial matching server in order to improve matching accuracy.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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411. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to set out the amount her Department expects to incur in costs with regard to the supply of facial image matching software over the duration of the initial contract; if she has included an option to extend the duration of the contract as per the request for tenders dated 20 April 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18572/18]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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412. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if processes will be added to the public services card renewal process that involve the use of facial recognition software; the reason this software will be required as part of a renewal of a card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18574/18]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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414. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the way in which a sample (details supplied) of 100,000 photographs will be chosen regarding the new facial recognition software that her Department is requesting tenders for; if persons will be contacted and asked to give consent to their image or photograph being used in this manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18576/18]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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416. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the reason facial image matching software is required as per her request for tenders of 20 April 2018; the way in which the software will be utilised by her Department; the products that will be used in conjunction with same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18601/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 411, 412, 414 and 416 together.

The use of facial matching technology has been successfully employed by the Department for a number of years. What is proposed, in the context of this competitive tender process, is a continuation and upgrade of this existing technology.

My Department uses facial image matching software to strengthen the SAFEregistration process. The normal digital photograph in JPEG format is captured during the SAFEregistration process and is inputted into and stored in this facial image matching software. It is then modelled and searched against the Department’s photo database to ensure that the person in the photograph has not already been registered using a different Personal Public Service Number or a different identity dataset.

The software compares photographs by converting the image into an arithmetic template based on the individual’s facial characteristics and checking it against the other image templates already held in that software’s database from other SAFEregistrations. It is a similar approach to that taken by the Passport Office in its systems when processing passport applications/renewals.

The current matching system is over 5 years old and upgrading the system will result in achieving significantly improved matching accuracy which, in turn, will lead to increased efficiencies and effectiveness for my Department.

It is important to note that the application of this technology has detected a number of cases of serious identity fraud some of which have been successfully prosecuted through the courts on indictment, with significant custodial sentences being imposed.

In accordance with Government policy, the Department is running an open procurement for the provision of the services as described in the request for tender (RFT). Public procurement is governed by well-established EU and national rules and guidelines. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money.

All tenders received in response to this procurement competition will be evaluated on the basis of criteria outlined in the RFT.

Using facial matching software allows an individual to renew their PSC online without having to visit a DEASP office and undergo the full SAFE registration again.

The Department will ensure that testing will take place on its premises only.

I hope this clarifies the matters for the Deputy.