CSO figures show less than one quarter of non-Irish nationals assigned PPSNs in 2007, were working during 2012

07 Mar 2014

Recently published CSO analysis of records of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social Protection, and the CSO, shows that of the 188,775 non-Irish nationals aged 15 and over who were assigned personal public service numbers (PPSNs) in 2007, only 45,502 (24.1%) had employment activity at any time during 2012.

Other key findings from the analysis:

  • There were 72,959 PPSNs allocated to non-Irish nationals across all ages groups in 2012, a slight rise of 5,519 (8%) when compared with 2011.
  • 2012 represented the first rise in the number of PPSN allocations after falls in all years since 2007.
  • 24,842 (39%) non-Irish nationals with new PPSNs had employment activity during 2012, an increase from 21,782 (37%) in 2011.
  • In 2012 employment and social welfare activity rates in the year of allocation for non-Irish nationals was less than 45% (ranging from 35% (66,702) for 2007 allocations to 45% (28,718) for 2012 allocations).
  • Only 45,502 (24%) of the 188,775 non-Irish nationals aged 15 and over who were assigned PPSNs in 2007 recorded some employment activity in 2012. 
  • Only 43,271, less than one-quarter (23%) of non-Irish nationals allocated PPSNs in 2007 recorded social welfare activity.

For more information:

Read CSO statistical release, 6 March 2014.

See latest statistics on allocation of PPSN by main nationalities.

Note: A Public Service Number (PPS Number) is a unique, identifying reference number issued by the Department of Social Protection. The PPS Number is used to access social welfare benefits and public services and to pay tax. State agencies that use PPS Numbers to identify individuals include the Department of Social Protection, the Revenue Commissioners and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

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