Birth data to be used for 'public service identity'

Personal data collected when births are registered will be used as part of measures to establish a "public service identity" for every individual, doing business with the State.

Under proposals in the Social Welfare Bill to improve access to public services by providing them electronically, the public service identity will be a "unique and secure identifier for public service customers".

The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, said the identity "will be a speedy and efficient method of establishing who they are for the purposes of accessing and dealing with public service agencies. Mr Ahern announced the measure as one of a number of proposals in the Bill which also include increases powers for the Revenue Commissioners to collect PRSI payments and allowing them publish the names of tax defaulters where the PRSI contributions settlement is greater than €12,700.