A top level expert group is being established to report to Government within six months under the eGovernment initiative to introduce a standardised framework for a Public Service Card (PSC). The aim is to develop a standard for Public Service Cards that acts as a key for access to services, identifying and authenticating individuals as appropriate and where required. A PSC Framework standard will facilitate convergence over time of existing cards under a single branded scheme, reducing the need for public service customers to carry multiple cards. Currently some 4.9 million types of public service cards are already in use.
"The introduction of a Public Services Card framework using the Personal Public Service (PPS) number will improve the modernisation of public service delivery, lead to a greater integration of services, reduce bureaucracy and make access to public services easier and more efficient," said Mary Coughlan Minister for Social and Family Affairs.
"This initiative will cut the often annoying red tape and bureaucracy that people have to go through to access public services which they are entitled to or need to access. The expert group will draw up a blueprint for simple access to public services," added Minister Coughlan.
The use of cards for access to a range of public services has been increasing in recent years with the eGovernment agenda for the modernisation of public services.
Public service cards are already in use in a number of Government Departments. These include:
- The Social Services Card for social welfare purposes (2.3 million issued since 1992).
- The Drugs Payment Refund scheme card (1.3 million cards).
- Medical card (767,000 cards)
- Garda age card (100,000 cards).
- Social Welfare Free Travel pass (580,000 cards).
Other public services which could be accessed could include such simple things as library services, and other public services could emerge in the future.
The security and integrity of Public Service Cards is an important issue and the development of a Public Service Card standard could significantly facilitate secure authentication of identity, such as to avail of social welfare payments as well as electronic payment delivery.
Opportunities will also be created to increase value for money through economies of scale and through the use of shared services for card management, for example the issue, replacement and renewal of cards.
The task of the expert group is to draw up the card standards framework and to recommend to the Government an approach to the development of the public service card for the future. The overall intention is to bring about a situation where people do not need to hold multiple cards for dealing with public services and to ensure that the tax payer is getting best value for money. The expert group will comprise of officials from the key Government Departments with cards schemes. It will be chaired jointly by the Department of Finance and the Department of Social and Family Affairs which has responsibility under legislation for the development of the Public Service Card and the Personal Public Services Number (PPS Number). The PPS Number is the individual's unique identifier in dealing with public services.
Quelle: Politics, 30.06.2004
