IWU critical of new policy on PPS numbers

[Phoenix1969]

Independent Workers Union critical of new policy on PPS numbers:


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


www.union.ie

[wasioneofthosebigotsB4?]

Thats screwy!

[kerrynorth]

Thats screwy!

Not if the Dept. is aware of significant documentation fraud its not.

[wasioneofthosebigotsB4?]

I don't see how making people travel further to do th very same thing in a different building will prevent the same abuses.

The only posible way to completely prevent ID fraud is with biometric readers, but thats a non-starter

[kerrynorth]

I don't see how making people travel further to do th very same thing in a different building will prevent the same abuses.

The only posible way to completely prevent ID fraud is with biometric readers, but thats a non-starter

Better expertise would build up in offices with higher volumes of throughput.

[KingKane]

Could he not have gotten the bus to Letterkenny if he had taken the whole day off?

[wasioneofthosebigotsB4?]

Could he not have gotten the bus to Letterkenny if he had taken the whole day off?

Public Offices close at four, if he was there at three or so, the bus may not have had him there on time.

[TheBear]

<Mod>Moved to the Economy forum.</Mod>

[theyshootPDsdontthey]

Could he not have gotten the bus to Letterkenny if he had taken the whole day off?

Public Offices close at four, if he was there at three or so, the bus may not have had him there on time.

What part of Donegal was this guy from?