Who can use my Personal Public Service (PPS) Number

If you have a query regarding your Personal Public Service (PPS) Number please contact:

Client Identity Services (CIS) is the Section of the Department of Social Protection which manages the allocation and use of the Personal Public Service (PPS) Number.

CIS is committed to protecting and facilitating the use of the PPS Number in accordance with the law. The legislation governing the allocation and use of the PPS Number is primarily contained in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2010. Only bodies specified in legislation and their agents can use the PPS Number - these are referred to as Specified Bodies.

Specified Bodies are asked to submit a return for this register which outlines their ongoing use and future plans for the PPS Number. The register below is a reflection of those bodies who have contributed to date. The information provided in these returns can help clients understand why their PPS Number has been requested by an organisation. The Register is updated when new information is received.

Specified bodies who contribute to the Register answer the following questions:

• Does your organisation use the PPSN at present?
• If so, for what purpose?
• Does your organisation exchange the PPS number with any other body? If so please name the relevant bodies and the purpose(s) of the exchange?
• Does your organisation have any other plans involving the use of the PPS number?
• Have you measures in place to ensure that the Public Service Identity data you hold/collect whether in electronic or written format is in line with the GDPR Principles described below?

• process it lawfully, fairly, and in a transparent manner
• collect it only for one or more specified, explicit and legitimate purposes, and do not otherwise use it in a way that is incompatible with those purposes
• ensure it is adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary for the purpose it is processed
• keep it accurate and up-to-date and erase or rectify any inaccurate data without delay
• where it is kept in a way that allows you to identify who the data is about, retain it for no longer than is necessary
• keep it secure by using appropriate technical and/or organisational security measures
• be able to demonstrate your compliance with the above principles; and
• respond to requests by individuals seeking to exercise their data protection rights (for example the right of access

Any queries regarding the Register of Users may be addressed to:

The Compliance Section deals with queries relating to the Register of Users only.

The information published on the Register of User Return has been compiled from many sources. While all reasonable care has been taken in the compilation and publication of the contents of the Register, access to and use of the information herein is entirely at the risk of the user. While every effort is made in preparing material for publication no responsibility is accepted by or on behalf of the department for any errors, omissions or misleading statements on the Register. The information should not, by itself, be relied upon in determining legal rights or other decisions. The Department of Social Protection does not assume legal or other liability for any inaccuracy, mistake, mis-statement or any other error of whatsoever submitted from any other entity outside of the department.

• Government Departments
• Local Authorities
• Educational Institutions and Education and Training Boards (ETBs)
• Health Service Executive
• Hospitals and Related Services
• Other Users