Plan for compulsory ID card scheme draws sharp criticism from MEP

The new Social Welfare Bill has been described as a "massive disappointment" by the Fine Gael spokesman on Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Jim O'Keeffe.

The Bill, which implements the 1998 Budget changes, also provides for the standardisation of the RSI number as a personal public service number and for the widening of the use of the social services identity card as a public service card.

Ms Patricia McKenna, the Green Party MEP, warned that the "compulsory ID card scheme" could have profound implications for freedom of movement and civil liberties.

The former Minister for Social Welfare, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, said that the Bill was "shortchanging social welfare recipients by substantially increasing the waiting period for increases announced in the Budget".

Giving details of the Bill yesterday, the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, said that its implementation would mean that "93 per cent of all payments now (are) over the Commission on Social Welfare rate".

The Bill provides for a £5 increase in the old-age pension, a £4 increase in Family Income Supplement from June and an average £11 increase from October. Child benefit increases will mean new rates of £31.50 each for the first two children and £42 for the third and subsequent children. Grants currently available on the birth of twins will be extended to all multiple births of three or more children, with £500 payable at birth and a further £500 when the children reach four and 12.

Carers over 66 will receive a £5 increase in their allowance, while those under 66 will have their payments increased by £3. All carers will be entitled to a free travel pass, as will companions of those over 75, while rental income from a person living with a pensioner will be exempt from a widow's or widower's non-contributory pension means test.

The Bill allows for the sharing of data between public service agencies to facilitate assessment of entitlements.

The personal public service number is part of the Department's plans to allow for increased fraud control and greater efficiency. It will provide "secure access" to a person's record. The Government agencies involved include all Departments, local authorities, health boards, the Revenue Commissioners, FAS, An Post, the General Register's Office, the Legal Aid Board "and other such bodies".

Information shared will be subject to approval by data controllers in the various agencies.

Commenting on the card, Mr De Rossa said it was important that there were "adequate safeguards built into the system to reassure people that information contained on the card will be secure".

Mr O'Keeffe claimed that the provisions of the Bill would widen the "poverty gap". He said that the average weekly increases for children were 37p, while in the meantime many of those who would gain from the cut in the top rate of income tax and the halving of capital gains tax would "count their benefits in multiples of thousands thanks to this Government's Budget for the rich".