asked the Minister for Social Welfare the which have been issued to the associated banks regarding the cashing of disability benefit cheques; if the banks have been told not to cash such cheques except through payees' accounts; if so, if she considers this to be reasonable; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Cashing of Social Welfare Cheques.
117.
The Department's concern in relation to the cashing of social welfare cheques is to ensure that banks, traders and others who assist social welfare beneficiaries by cashing their cheques would do so only for persons who are known to them or who can produce satisfactory identification.
It is difficult to define what constitutes proper identification and the Department has made available certain guidelines in this regard, mainly to assist traders. As far as the banks are concerned no guidelines have been issued indicating that cheques should be cashed through payees' accounts only and from inquiries made in the matter, there is no indication of any recent change in the banks' general policy in this regard. Banks have traditionally cashed cheques for social welfare beneficiaries and there is no reason to believe that they will not continue to provide this facility.