I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 30 together. My Department operate a wide range of payment systems the majority of which do not involve direct cash payments. Disability benefit is paid by cheque while longer-term payments such as pensions and child benefit are paid mainly by means of pension and allowance books containing orders cashable at nominated post offices. About one third of the unemployed are also paid at nominated post offices and the balance are paid in cash through the Department's network of local offices.
My Department are actively considering ways of reducing the amount of cash used at employment exchanges. Cheques, postal drafts and electronic fund transfer are being considered but these cannot be introduced until the work of employment exchanges has been computerised. This is at present taking place and will be completed on a phased basis.
In line with my policy of developing more modern facilities using the most up-to-date computer systems, discussions are taking place with the banks and An Post with a view to substituting as far as possible more efficient and secure electronic payment methods for existing paper transactions. It is envisaged that social welfare clients would be offered a degree of choice in the method of payment but the Department's own market research and experience elsewhere suggests, however, that the take-up of new payment methods such as electronic funds transfer may be relatively low initially. One of the constraining factors is that many of the persons receiving social welfare payments do not have active bank accounts.