Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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686. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are delays being experienced to the processing of PPS number applications as a result of Covid-19 compared to the pre-crisis period; the average processing time for an application to be processed compared to the pre-crisis period; if additional resources will be made available if there are delays being experienced; and the recourse available to applicants. [10462/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The SAFE registration process, which involves the authentication of a person's identity in a face-to-face interview, is the normal method of processing an application for a Personal Pubic Service Number (PPSN).

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department has temporarily suspended the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and World Health Organisation guidelines in respect of social distancing.

My Department has introduced an email and a postal application service for people who require a PPSN. While I am advised that there are no significant delays in relation to this new application service, there can sometimes be delays where a person does not submit all of the required documentation.

The face-to-face process involved, in many locations, the person setting up an appointment for a date in the future. The current process does not involve appointments and this means that it is not possible to realistically compare the time taken to process application across each service.

With regard to the actual process of allocating a PPSN, once all of the relevant documentation is provided, the PPSN is allocated overnight and issued to the person concerned via post.

My Department is moving towards a resumption of the SAFE registration process over the coming weeks on a phased basis and this will be done in accordance with all relevant HSE and Government guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the Department's customers and staff.

In the meantime, any person who wishes to talk to someone about their application for a PPSN can call my Department on LoCall 1890 927 999.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.