Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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543. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner is expected to conclude its investigation into the public services card; if all activity on the roll-out of this card has been suspended until the investigation has concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31145/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) formally advised my Department, on 21st February 2018, that their first preliminary report on the PSC would be sent the Department in mid-March for comment. No further communication has been received from the ODPC since this notification was received.

The Department’s schemes and services are subject to investigation or audit by a number of regulatory bodies or agencies at various times. It is standard practice that normal business is continued while these audits or investigations are carried out or completed.

The Public Service Card is the physical token used by customers of the Department to cash their benefit, assistance or Pension payments which are made through the Post Office network. In addition, it is also used as a Free Travel pass for Carers, People with disabilities and Pensioners. Any suspension of the PSC rollout programme would result in excessive service disruption for a variety of existing and new customers of the Department as well as travel service providers.

I hope that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.