Public Services Ccard · TheJournal.ie

# public-services-ccard - Wednesday 4 May, 2022

Alleged excessive data gathering by Department of Social Protection being examined

# Data Protection

Alleged excessive data gathering by Department of Social Protection being examined

May 4th 2022, 12:05 AM 41,582 Views 22 Comments

The Data Protection Commission is looking at use of free travel pass data, writes Maria Delaney
Noteworthy investigation reveals the Department had a database of free travel journeys until 2020
We also find Leap card system usage records, including journey data, are being retained for over a year

# public-services-ccard - Friday 10 December, 2021

Department acknowledges no legal basis for mandatory Public Services Card to access services other than welfare

# Data Retention

Department acknowledges no legal basis for mandatory Public Services Card to access services other than welfare

Updated Dec 10th 2021, 5:34 PM 57,675 Views 53 Comments

A court appeal has been dropped after an agreement between the Department of Social Protection and the Data Protection Commission.
In a 2019 ruling, the DPC had found that a PSC should not be required to receive State services such as a driver’s licence or passport.
A PSC is still required to apply for a Driving Licence online but the RSA says people can also apply in person without one.

# public-services-ccard - Sunday 29 December, 2019

Dept said PSC staff would be ‘phased out’ this year. There’s still 80 employed

# Moveable Feast

Dept said PSC staff would be ‘phased out’ this year. There’s still 80 employed

Dec 29th 2019, 12:05 AM 32,001 Views 18 Comments

Unions had sought permanent contracts for some of these workers, but failed in a number of cases last year.

# public-services-ccard - Thursday 21 November, 2019

'I won't lower myself': Angry clashes at committee as Doherty defends government stance on PSC

# Unlawful Basis

'I won't lower myself': Angry clashes at committee as Doherty defends government stance on PSC

Nov 21st 2019, 12:52 PM 27,309 Views 41 Comments

There were testy exchanges between the minister and committee members in the Oireachtas this morning.

# public-services-ccard - Wednesday 20 November, 2019

Needing a PSC for National Childcare Scheme is 'illegal and highly discriminatory'

# Data Protection

Needing a PSC for National Childcare Scheme is 'illegal and highly discriminatory'

Nov 20th 2019, 6:10 AM 10,241 Views 16 Comments

The ICCL said a PSC requirement forces people “to hand over their data in exchange for services to which they are already entitled”.

# public-services-ccard - Sunday 10 November, 2019

Pulling mandatory PSC for passports had 'whole of government repercussions', civil servants warned

# Public Services Card

Pulling mandatory PSC for passports had 'whole of government repercussions', civil servants warned

Nov 10th 2019, 12:05 AM 25,034 Views 17 Comments

New documents have shown how the Passport Office considered its options before pulling the PSC as a mandatory requirement.

# public-services-ccard - Thursday 7 November, 2019

Department boss says he's 'satisfied' the Public Services Card rollout is value for money

# Controversy

Department boss says he's 'satisfied' the Public Services Card rollout is value for money

Nov 7th 2019, 8:37 AM 10,878 Views 24 Comments

The Secretary General of the Department of Social Protection is due before the PAC today.

# public-services-ccard - Monday 28 October, 2019

# PSC

Civil servants plotting mobile phone 'facial recognition' to boost sign-ups for controversial MyGovId platform

Oct 28th 2019, 12:05 AM 34,882 Views 64 Comments

You need a PSC to get a MyGovId, and senior civil servants have looking at expanding the services available on it.

# public-services-ccard - Wednesday 23 October, 2019

Senior civil servant said media outlets had 'agenda' against the Public Services Card

# PSC

Senior civil servant said media outlets had 'agenda' against the Public Services Card

Oct 23rd 2019, 6:05 AM 21,211 Views 50 Comments

The government’s chief information officer singled out the Irish Times in a mail sent to other senior civil servants.

# public-services-ccard - Tuesday 24 September, 2019

Making PSC mandatory for all passport applications would have meant 'significantly' longer waiting times

# Passport Office

Making PSC mandatory for all passport applications would have meant 'significantly' longer waiting times

Sep 24th 2019, 6:00 AM 8,614 Views 17 Comments

The Department of Foreign Affairs was unwilling to make it a requirement.

# public-services-ccard - Sunday 22 September, 2019

Civil servants were told to look at replacing the Medical Card with the Public Services Card

# Transparency

Civil servants were told to look at replacing the Medical Card with the Public Services Card

Sep 22nd 2019, 12:05 AM 23,158 Views 73 Comments

As recently as June this year, the government was exploring this as a possibility.

# public-services-ccard - Saturday 21 September, 2019

So, what do you need a Public Services Card for right now?

# PSC

So, what do you need a Public Services Card for right now?

Sep 21st 2019, 7:30 AM 37,411 Views 34 Comments

The government is ploughing ahead with its support for the card, but what do you need it for right now?

Top civil servant not attending committee is 'an affront to democracy'

# Public Services Card

Top civil servant not attending committee is 'an affront to democracy'

Sep 21st 2019, 12:05 AM 39,199 Views 80 Comments

Chairperson John McGuinness says committee wants to discuss the cost of the PSC to date.

# public-services-ccard - Wednesday 18 September, 2019

Public Services Card no longer needed to apply for a passport

# PSC

Public Services Card no longer needed to apply for a passport

Updated Sep 18th 2019, 4:42 PM 24,757 Views 50 Comments

The Taoiseach says the Data Commissioner has declined to meet with Minister Doherty.

Criminal sanctions possible if government ignores watchdog’s orders on Public Services Card

# PSC

Criminal sanctions possible if government ignores watchdog’s orders on Public Services Card

Sep 18th 2019, 12:08 AM 19,049 Views 101 Comments

The long-awaited report into the card was published yesterday evening.

# public-services-ccard - Tuesday 17 September, 2019

Government claims that withdrawal of PSC could be illegal as it sets up battle with data watchdog

# Public Services Card

Government claims that withdrawal of PSC could be illegal as it sets up battle with data watchdog

Sep 17th 2019, 6:38 PM 13,781 Views 57 Comments

A long-awaited probe into the legality of the card was published this evening.

# public-services-ccard - Saturday 14 September, 2019

Taoiseach: 'Anyone that reads the law will understand why we disagree with the Data Commissioner's report'

# Public Services Card

Taoiseach: 'Anyone that reads the law will understand why we disagree with the Data Commissioner's report'

Sep 14th 2019, 11:19 AM 23,665 Views 76 Comments

The Taoiseach confirmed that the government has yet to file any court documents appealing findings by the Data Protection Commissioner.

# public-services-ccard - Friday 13 September, 2019

The Explainer: Why is there so much controversy over the Public Services Card?

# Podcast

The Explainer: Why is there so much controversy over the Public Services Card?

Sep 13th 2019, 5:30 PM 13,369 Views 43 Comments

It’s a saga that has been rumbling on for years – but what exactly is it all about?

# public-services-ccard - Thursday 12 September, 2019

Minister to publish Commission's PSC report 'in the next week or so'

# PSC

Minister to publish Commission's PSC report 'in the next week or so'

Sep 12th 2019, 5:26 PM 20,502 Views 51 Comments

The government is in a showdown with the Data Protection Commissioner over a report on the legality of the PSC.

# public-services-ccard - Sunday 8 September, 2019

Shane Ross says his officials were 'vindicated' over stance on Public Services Card for driving tests

# PSC

Shane Ross says his officials were 'vindicated' over stance on Public Services Card for driving tests

Sep 8th 2019, 6:30 AM 26,868 Views 34 Comments

The decision was made in March 2018 to not make the controversial card mandatory for a driving test.

# public-services-ccard - Thursday 5 September, 2019

Data Protection Commission to seek enforcement action over government's refusal to comply with PSC findings

# Public Services Card

Data Protection Commission to seek enforcement action over government's refusal to comply with PSC findings

Sep 5th 2019, 7:14 PM 26,372 Views 33 Comments

The government is challenging the findings of a landmark report into the legality of the card.

Why is the government set for a showdown in court over the findings of the PSC report?

# What Now?

Why is the government set for a showdown in court over the findings of the PSC report?

Sep 5th 2019, 12:05 AM 13,975 Views 63 Comments

The government has said this week it will not be implementing the findings of the Data Protection Commissioner.

# public-services-ccard - Wednesday 4 September, 2019

Government to continue processing PSC data in defiance of Data Protection Commissioner ruling

# Public Services Card

Government to continue processing PSC data in defiance of Data Protection Commissioner ruling

Sep 4th 2019, 10:04 AM 13,387 Views 45 Comments

The DPC ruled that there was no legal basis for the Government to process data for the card last month.

# public-services-ccard - Tuesday 3 September, 2019

'A mistake government doesn't need to make': Refusing to publish PSC report 'absurd', activists claim

# PSC

'A mistake government doesn't need to make': Refusing to publish PSC report 'absurd', activists claim

Sep 3rd 2019, 5:32 PM 14,518 Views 47 Comments

Minister Regina Doherty said 11 days ago the report would be published once her department had considered it.

# public-services-ccard - Monday 26 August, 2019

PSC training manuals for civil servants: Facial image matching, 'voice biometrics' and identity tokens

# Public Services Card

PSC training manuals for civil servants: Facial image matching, 'voice biometrics' and identity tokens

Aug 26th 2019, 12:05 AM 23,645 Views 62 Comments

Facial recognition is highlighted a number of times across the circulars issued to civil servants on the PSC.

# public-services-ccard - Thursday 22 August, 2019

Dept Social Protection to publish Commission's PSC report 'once full consideration is complete'

# PSC

Dept Social Protection to publish Commission's PSC report 'once full consideration is complete'

Aug 22nd 2019, 2:18 PM 16,263 Views 52 Comments

The DPC rejects government claims that making the card a requirement for services was lawful.

# public-services-ccard - Sunday 18 August, 2019

'There's no get out jail free card on this': What next for the Public Services Card?

# What Now?

'There's no get out jail free card on this': What next for the Public Services Card?

Aug 18th 2019, 7:15 AM 34,280 Views 60 Comments

The findings by the Data Protection Commissioner open up the possibility of legal action from PSC holders, solicitors say.

# public-services-ccard - Friday 16 August, 2019

Government will 'very seriously' consider commissioner's report into Public Services Card

# Data Protection Commissioner

Government will 'very seriously' consider commissioner's report into Public Services Card

Aug 16th 2019, 9:30 PM 14,491 Views 53 Comments

The Data Protection Commissioner reject Government claims that making the card a requirement for services was lawful.

Department told to destroy documents belonging to 3.2 million citizens it kept after PSC applications

# Data Retention

Department told to destroy documents belonging to 3.2 million citizens it kept after PSC applications

Aug 16th 2019, 12:07 AM 34,782 Views 81 Comments

The Data Protection Commissioner has found that there is no lawful basis for retaining information from PSC applications.

'Misleading' to claim having PSC makes applying for driver's licence easier, Data Protection Commissioner says

# Exclusive

'Misleading' to claim having PSC makes applying for driver's licence easier, Data Protection Commissioner says

Aug 16th 2019, 12:05 AM 20,039 Views 32 Comments

The National Driver’s Licence Service says that having a PSC “simplifies” the process of application.

No legal basis for mandatory Public Services Card to access State services other than welfare, landmark probe finds

# Data Protection Commissioner

No legal basis for mandatory Public Services Card to access State services other than welfare, landmark probe finds

Aug 16th 2019, 12:01 AM 33,566 Views 119 Comments

The Data Protection Commissioner’s long-awaited report has huge implications for the controversial card.

# public-services-ccard - Saturday 3 August, 2019

'Spark public debate': Spotlight on Public Services Card as data watchdog probe at 'advanced stage'

# PSC

'Spark public debate': Spotlight on Public Services Card as data watchdog probe at 'advanced stage'

Aug 3rd 2019, 10:00 PM 33,924 Views 65 Comments

The long-awaited report on the legality of the PSC is expected in the near future.

# public-services-ccard - Friday 19 July, 2019

Vast majority of organisations asked about the PSC said they don't benefit from using it

# Survey

Vast majority of organisations asked about the PSC said they don't benefit from using it

Jul 19th 2019, 6:20 AM 18,408 Views 26 Comments

The Irish Council of Civil Liberties said that there was some confusion and inconsistency from local authorities and other bodies.

# public-services-ccard - Sunday 24 February, 2019

'I would have the legs cut off me': Doherty says she won't release PSC report until she's given go-ahead

# Data Protection

'I would have the legs cut off me': Doherty says she won't release PSC report until she's given go-ahead

Feb 24th 2019, 7:30 AM 52,001 Views 64 Comments

Minister Regina Doherty clashed with Mick Wallace over the Public Services Card earlier this week.

# public-services-ccard - Sunday 17 February, 2019

'I felt so humiliated, I burst into tears': Woman questions why she was asked for adoption cert when applying for PSC

# Public Services Card

'I felt so humiliated, I burst into tears': Woman questions why she was asked for adoption cert when applying for PSC

Feb 17th 2019, 8:30 PM 67,312 Views 15 Comments

The woman’s adopted status is not well known and she was unaware she would have to discuss the topic in public.

# public-services-ccard - Monday 21 January, 2019

# Opinion

Opinion: The PSC could become the most expensive administrative error in the history of the State

Jan 21st 2019, 7:00 AM 32,486 Views 41 Comments

Three million Irish citizens could be entitled to compensation if the project is found to be unlawful, writes Simon McGarr.

# public-services-ccard - Monday 14 January, 2019

Government won't release Public Services Card report due to 'public interest' fears

# Freedom Of Information

Government won't release Public Services Card report due to 'public interest' fears

Updated Jan 14th 2019, 7:33 PM 89,637 Views 104 Comments

The group intends to appeal this decision to the Office of the Information Commissioner.

# public-services-ccard - Sunday 9 December, 2018

PSC staff losing battle to stay on as department confirms contracts to be 'phased out' in 2019

# Public Services Card

PSC staff losing battle to stay on as department confirms contracts to be 'phased out' in 2019

Dec 9th 2018, 6:05 AM 48,314 Views 47 Comments

A number of workers have been unsuccessful in cases at the Workplace Relations Commission arguing their right to a permanent contract.

# public-services-ccard - Wednesday 12 September, 2018

Facial imaging software has been used to detect €4 million worth of identity fraud

# Public Services Card

Facial imaging software has been used to detect €4 million worth of identity fraud

Sep 12th 2018, 5:07 PM 25,189 Views 84 Comments

The department has pinpointed 28 cases in this year alone.

# public-services-ccard - Monday 13 August, 2018

Competitors for €9.4 million PSC contract backed out due to 'unfair advantage' being given to company that won

# No Love For Tender

Competitors for €9.4 million PSC contract backed out due to 'unfair advantage' being given to company that won

Aug 13th 2018, 12:05 AM 41,382 Views 65 Comments

Security Card Concepts (formerly Biometric Card Services), the company responsible for producing the PSC since 2010, eventually won the bumper contract as the sole bidder