Independent Workers Union critical of new policy on PPS numbers

donegal | worker & community struggles and protests | press release Friday September 07, 2007 02:20 by Brian H - Independent Workers' Union brian.halpin at ucdconnect dot ie

Members of the IWU have been angered at the difficulties imposed on workers seeking PPS numbers by the Department of Social & Family Affairs. ‘This situation has only come to light when a Polish worker sought a PPS number within two days of arriving in Donegal to take up a job - the worker attempted to register for the PPS number at the local Social Welfare office but was told it would be necessary to travel to Letterkenny – a distance of more than 50 miles – which is now the only office issuing new numbers.’

The worker was forced to take a full day off work and hire a taxi for the 100 mile plus trip to Letterkenny to acquire the number. When the IWU contacted the Department for clarification of this new policy they were informed that they are reducing the number of PPS outlets as part of a ‘range of control activities to combat identity fraud’. The Department states there will be ‘flexibility’ in the new arrangements which ‘will allow customers attend the nearest and most convenient centralised PPS Centre to their place of residence’. We are aware that decentralisation of this Department announced some years ago has not yet happened but can the Minister be so completely ignorant of the meaning of ‘nearest’ in rural Ireland? This new restriction affects people who already are forced to travel long distances for hospital and other services – and this former Minister for Transport must surely be aware of the lack of public transport in rural Ireland?

Minister Cullen’s Department states acquiring a PPS number is a once in a lifetime event…..There are already stringent conditions and documentation attached to the acquisition of this number which should give ample opportunity for the detection of fraud. Centralising the service and making it more difficult for people to access will not eliminate fraud.

The Union urges the Department to facilitate people seeking PPS number at their local Social Welfare offices and not to penalise the innocent because of the failure of the authorities to detect and eliminate abuses.

Tommy McKearney
National Executive
Independent Workers Union