Can the Tánaiste clarify if there are proposals to amend the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005? Section 262 of that Act contains the parameters around which personal public service, PPS, numbers may be given to third party institutions. It refers to the Minister having to sanction any such use by a third party and weigh up that request on its merits before agreeing to it. I do not see anything on the Department's website to indicate it has gone through that process. There is a reference on Irish Water's website to the effect that the arrangement for such has not yet been finalised. Considering the current furore, this is another aspect of the policy commitment of Government to Irish Water and the way in which it is carrying out those policy directions. I am in the same boat as Irish Water. It appears that such an arrangement has not yet been finalised and people are very concerned about the use of their PPS numbers and the manner in which they may be used in the future, considering the threat that many believe still exists, namely, the potential or possibility of that entity being privatised in the future.

In terms of the Department of Social Protection's main business, people have a PPS number for social welfare purposes. Where other organisations use a PPS number, that usage is based in law, and I can get the details of that for the Deputy. However, in regard to Irish Water, my understanding is that it has requested PPS numbers to verify that people are entitled to allowances, particularly with respect to children. As the Deputy knows, there is a provision for extra allowances. The actual use of PPS numbers by Irish Water for any other purpose is not permitted. That is the sole purpose for which it can use the PPS number.

I understand people would be concerned about privacy and in that context, the Department of Social Protection works extremely closely with the Data Protection Commissioner who has a responsibility to oversee this important area. The Deputy will be aware of a recent court case where certain credit unions gave people's PPS numbers to inquiry agencies and they made certain inquiries, which they were not entitled to do, in regard to PPS numbers, and the courts dealt quite severely with that matter. All of this is legislated for by law.

The Tánaiste says it is in law.

This is all legislated for by law-----

Did the Tánaiste and her Department sanction it?

Sorry, this is not a matter for the Order of Business.,

It is the law.

I am looking at the law. Can the Tánaiste clarify what section 262-----

The law provides for limited use and access. People will recall that when Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, was being developed there was some usage of PPS numbers in regard to that, strictly regulated by law.

That is not a semi-State company.

We need to rescind section 262 of the 2005 Act.

SUSI is not a commercial company.

I want to assure people of that, and it is overseen by the Data Protection Commissioner.

I have to move on.

It is overseen by the Data Protection Commissioner, which is correct and proper.

I know that, but will the Tánaiste clarify for me section 262 of the 2005 Act if she says there is nothing she can do about it?

I think we have dealt with that issue. There are only 13 minutes left and there is a list of Deputies offering.