Joe Walsh
Question:63 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the categories of social welfare recipients who are entitled to payment by electronic transfer; and the plans, if any, he has to extend this facility. [20743/96]
Written Answers. - Electronic Fund Transfers.
In recent years my Department has introduced a facility for the payment of a range of social welfare entitlements by electronic funds transfer to personal accounts at banks and other financial institutions, including An Post. At present, over 102,000 customers avail of this option. The main social welfare payment schemes involved are old age contributory and non-contributory, survivor's-orphan's, retirement and invalidity pensions; long-term disability, death and child benefits and back-to-work and disability allowances. All new claimants to these schemes are given the option of payment by electronic fund transfer.
My intention is to ensure that a wide range of modern payment methods are available to social welfare customers. New technologies and "cashless" money transmission facilities which are coming on stream are being examined by my Department. The aim is to expand the range of facilities from which customers may choose according to their personal needs and preferences.