Many signed up to Public Services Card due to their ‘financial fears’, TDs told

MANY of the three million people who signed up for the Public Services Card likely felt compelled to do so, often due to financial necessity, politicians were told.

A woman whose pension was cut before being restored was in attendance at the Social Protection Committee as the matter was discussed.

The case of a mother applying for child benefit was also raised. She was told she needed to apply for the card, but she questioned the legal position.

Liam Herrick, director for the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), told the committee that it seemed many people felt they had no choice but to sign up for the card.

“We have no information about who those three million people are,” Mr Herrick said.

“I think it would be helpful if that was clarified.

“We feel it is people who are disproportionately reliant on money, who may be under pressure to take part in a database.

“It takes someone of a particular resolute nature to forgo this, but individuals have done that, as we know.”

Those in receipt of, or applying for, State benefits had been sent letters informing them to sign up for the card.

Data protection solicitor Simon McGarr said: “The department wouldn’t answer questions from the lady present today whose pension was cut off, who asked ‘can you show me the legal basis for getting this card?’

“If they’d showed her the legal basis, she’d have got the card. The point is, she didn’t get an answer to the question.”