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New benefits system problems for Irish passport and NI driving licence holders

The new benefits online system has reportedly experienced problems recognising some forms of ID including Irish passports
The new benefits online system has reportedly experienced problems recognising some forms of ID including Irish passports The new benefits online system has reportedly experienced problems recognising some forms of ID including Irish passports

THE department overseeing a new benefits system in Northern Ireland last night said it was working to address concerns of some people using Irish passports and Northern Ireland driving licences to access payments.

Universal Credit merges six benefits into one and is set to be rolled out in the north later within weeks.

But the new online system has experienced problems recognising some forms of ID with some reports that Irish passport holders and those with NI driving licences have had their identification rejected.

There have been calls for clarification on the new system with SDLP assembly member Mark H Durkan describing the reports as "deeply concerning".

"The very fact that there is confusion over the application process before the new benefit is rolled out vindicates the SDLP opposition to the new benefit here - the system is not fit for purpose."

Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey called for the new system to be postponed.

"The unacceptable delay of, on average, up to six weeks in administering the first payment has the potential to cause severe hardship during the most financially challenging months of the year," he said.

"Now this has been compounded by problems with the online system...despite assurances from the Department of Communities that this should not be the case.

"Clearly, Universal Credit and the online system which is supposed to underpin it is not fit for purpose and its implementation should be postponed until such times as appropriate arrangements can be put in place."

But a spokesman for the Department for Communities last night said that Irish passports were recognised by system which has been "confirmed and successfully tested today".

Adding that the verification process "can be difficult to navigate" the department said it would work closely with colleagues in the advice sector to address concerns and endure help and support is available to users of the verify process.

"The department of finance is working closely with GB colleagues to include NI Driving License data as an additional verification tool within the verify process, with that facility fully expected to be available in time for the launch of Universal Credit in NI," a spokesman added.