Debate on PSC far from over as talks continue on its future use

THE Department of Public Expenditure is poised to launch a €200,000 public awareness campaign for the Government’s Public Services Card in a bid to further increase uptake beyond the 2.8 million people who currently use it.

It may need every cent of that cash if the campaign is to silence the clamour of questions that have been raised about the project by, among others, privacy groups and the Data Protection Commissioner.

Originally brought in by the Department of Social Protection as a means of authenticating an individual’s identity and to prevent fraud, its use is now being extended to a series of other Government services.

Ministers stress there is nothing sinister about the plans and reject any suggestion the PSC is a national ID card being brought in by the back door. But its rollout continues beyond its original use and next year people applying for passports, driving licences and third-level student grants will be required to have the card.

Documents released to the Irish Independent show that other suggested uses have included the PSC replacing the Tax Saver Leap Card for public transport and even as an alternative to the Dublin Bikes scheme card. These proposals haven’t progressed beyond brainstorming sessions between Government departments.

But more recent documents show discussions are to take place about the possibilities for integrating the PSC infrastructure with the Medical Card and Drug Payment Cards.

The health service doesn’t use the PSCs, but the possibility that it could in the future is likely to fuel a debate over the ID cards that’s far from over.