asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plan, if any, he has to make payments of social welfare pension and other long term benefits by way of a bank link system.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
19.
Social welfare pensions and other long term payments are currently made by means of order books encashable at designated post offices.
My Department are examining the possibilities for the introduction of more modern and flexible payment facilities for social welfare claimants generally and discussions have taken place with the banks and An Post with a view to the development of more efficient and secure electronic payment methods for existing paper and cash transactions. The aim is to ensure that all social welfare clients would be offered a degree of choice in the method of payment.
I expect that progress in this area will take some years and it is likely that the bulk of payments will continue to be made by way of order books at post offices for some time yet.