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A DPC probe found breaches of GDPR relating to failures to identify a valid lawful basis for the collection of biometric data, the retention of biometric data collected and failures to put in place suitably transparent information to data subjects

Data watchdog issues €550K fine over Public Services Card

The Data Protection Commission has fined the Department of Social Protection €550,000 for breaches of privacy rules relating to the use of facial recognition technology in the registration process for the Public Services Card.

Business • 13 Jun

The card was first introduced to obtain social welfare benefits and was then rolled out to other services like passports and driver licences

Battle over future of PSC sees Govt digging heels in

Analysis and Comment • 23 Sep 19

The full report was published on the Department's website this evening

Minister: Inappropriate to modify Public Services Card

The Public Services Card will remain in use with the Government saying it would be inappropriate and potentially unlawful to withdraw or modify it.

News • 17 Sep 19

There are more than three million Public Services Card in service

Commissioner to take action over Public Services Card

The office of the Data Protection Commissioner has confirmed it will proceed with enforcement action against the State over its decision to defy a report that found the retention of information on 3.2m citizens who hold a Public Services Card was unlawful.

Politics • 05 Sep 19

With regards to the Public Services Card, the Government will continue acting on the basis of legislation passed in 2005

Govt prepared to legally challenge findings on PSC

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty has said her department is prepared to challenge in the courts the findings by the Data Protection Commissioner in relation to the Public Services Card.

Ireland • 04 Sep 19

The Data Protection Commissioner has recently made critical findings over the Public Services Card

'Inappropriate' to modify Public Services Card - Govt

The Government has said it would be "inappropriate and potentially unlawful" to withdraw or modify the Public Services Card, despite recent critical findings by the Data Protection Commissioner.

Politics • 04 Sep 19

The Data Protection Commissioner has ruled some current uses of the PSC are illegal

Varadkar says legal basis for PSCs needs to be examined

The Taoiseach has said the Government will examine if it can change the law to allow the Public Services Card to be a requirement for purposes other than accessing social welfare services.

Ireland • 17 Aug 19

Helen Dixon said her office has instructed the department to stop issuing cards for people to use in other bodies

Rollout of PSC lacked 'coherence' - commissioner

The Data Protection Commissioner has said there is no issue with the validity of Public Services Cards and they can still be used on a voluntary basis as photo ID but they cannot be demanded for services other than social welfare benefits.

Ireland • 16 Aug 19

What is the Public Services Card?

Business Editor Will Goodbody explains the Public Services Card and why it was introduced.

Ireland • 16 Aug 19

Questions have been raised about whether the card fully complies with the law

Dept says Public Services Card has clear legal basis

The Department of Social Protection has said it is confident there is a clear legal basis for the Public Services Card.

Ireland • 07 Feb 19

The Central Bank does not accept the card as a valid proof of identification

Central Bank does not recognise Public Services Card

Borrowers looking to access personal credit reports stored in the new national credit register cannot access them with the Government's Public Services Card.

Ireland • 18 Apr 18

From March, those applying for a driving licence will come under the Public Services Card system

ICCL has 'grave concerns' over Public Services Card

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has told an Oireachtas committee that it has "grave concerns" over the use of the Public Services Card, accusing the Government of not being open about the impact on people's privacy.

Ireland • 08 Feb 18

A new photograph will be taken at renewal of the card, says the Department

Updates every seven years on Services Card, says Dept

A person will be required to update their Public Services Card (PSC) at least every seven years and to provide a new photograph to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection every seventh year.

Ireland • 20 Oct 17

Leo Varadkar says there is a legislative basis for the public services card

Taoiseach: Public Services Card not a national ID card

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the Public Services Card is not and never will be a national identity card, and that there are no plans to introduce a national ID card.

Ireland • 31 Aug 17

The Government has said having a Public Services Card is mandatory for some services

Call for debate on ID cards amid PSC controversy

A solicitor and data protection expert has expressed concerns over the introduction of the new Public Services Card.

Ireland • 29 Aug 17

A PSC is required to access Social Welfare Services, passports and driver theory tests

Minister says PSC mandatory for some services

Minister for Employment and Social Protection Regina Doherty has said that having a Public Services Card is mandatory to access certain public services.

Ireland • 25 Aug 17

Public Services Card