Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Feb 1999

Vol. 499 No. 3

Written Answers - Introduction of Euro.

Derek McDowell

Question:

109 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his Department is actively engaged in the education programme associated with the introduction of the euro; if receipts of social welfare payments currently indicate the euro value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2623/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern):

My Department plays an active part on the team which was set up in autumn 1995 to co-ordinate preparations for the introduction of the euro in the public sector. The Department's changeover plans are included in the national changeover plans, the third edition of which was published on the 18 November 1998.

My Department's information campaign will complement the broader focused campaigns which are being mounted by the euro change-over board. The Department will actively encourage the participation in this process of the voluntary and community sector, the money advice and budgeting service, the customer service panels, which represent the main categories of beneficiaries and the NSSB and its network of citizen's information centres. My Department has produced a leaflet dealing with basic issues such as the timetable for the euro, its value, the denomi nation of notes and coins and how social welfare payments will be affected. The leaflet is available at all my Department's local offices.

Information on the euro value of social welfare payments will be provided on the information literature on rates of payment which my Department produces, beginning with the revised versions which will be produced this year to reflect the budget changes. Payments will continue to be made in Irish pounds until euro notes and coins come into circulation in January 2002. These payments are effected through computer systems specially developed for the purpose. A variety of payment methods, both electronic and paper based, are used. Work on modifying these computer systems to cater for the euro has begun. The question of supplying information on the euro value of payments to individuals will be addressed in this context.