New biometric ID card aims to prevent welfare fraud
A new ID card is being rolled out from next week in a bid to stamp out social welfare fraud.
The biometric card will carry information on a chip to ensure those claiming payments are actually entitled to them.
The Public Services card is being piloted in a number of social welfare offices in Tullamore, Sligo and Dublin. The first cards will be issued to members of the public from next week.
The card will have a person's name, photograph, signature and PPS number on it.
It will also store information electronically such as date and place of birth, gender, nationality, all former surnames and all former surnames of their mother.
The card will verify an individual's identity while at the same time making it harder for people to use false identities.
The Department of Social Protection hopes that these anti-fraud measures will bring down its budget, as required by the EU and the IMF.
