Developing guidelines for public services smart card
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
This week Antoinette Fennell has been developing a short guideline document for the Department of Social Protection (formerly the Department of Social and Family Affairs).
The proposed card aims to reduce the amount of benefit fraud in Ireland, while at the same time improving the efficiency of the wide range of social services. The card, in theory, has the potential to improve access to services for people with disabilities, for example, by reducing waiting times and allowing individuals a greater degree of independence when collecting benefits. However, if not introduced carefully, this technology could present new barriers.
We're interested in hearing your views on smart cards. We have so far received a lot of comments on the design of current smart cards (such as credit cards, hotel keys, and so on). But we would also like to hear your thoughts on application processes that work and don't work, or customer service approaches that you find particularly good or bad.
Further information can be found here