Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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418. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the time it takes to reactivate the PPS numbers for returning Irish emigrants, compared with the timescale involved in creating PPS numbers for the first time. [50294/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years, Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) are assigned at birth registration stage for children born in Ireland. Alternatively, a PPSN number can be applied for where a person needs to carry out a transaction with a state body. The person should complete an online application and contact their local Intreo Centre to make an in-person appointment to verify their identity and have a PPSN allocated.

Once assigned, a PPSN is retained by the person and is not deactivated. The number is unaffected by absence from state.

Where a person is returning to Ireland and has difficulty recalling or locating their original PPSN, they should contact my Department for assistance by sending an email to CIS@welfare.ie, providing their personal details such as previous Irish address or employment details, marital status, and their mother's maiden (birth) name. The PPSN will be issued by post to the address provided, or in urgent cases, the person can call 0818 927 999 to receive their PPSN once the officer is satisfied as to the identity of the person concerned.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.