Vol. 513 No. 2
39 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to criticism expressed by those involved in the money advice and budgeting service in relation to the household budget scheme operated by An Post on behalf of his Department arising from the delay in implementing the deductions under the scheme; and the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that this aspect of the scheme is improved. [1870/00]
The household budget scheme is available to recipients of social welfare payments who are paid through electronic payments systems operated by An Post. The scheme is a facility under which certain social welfare recipients can have agreed deductions made from their payments and paid over to certain nominated organisations. The deductions are made by An Post who also generate the payment to the nominated organisation.
I understand that, in some instances, it may take up to six weeks from the time that a person applies to have deductions made under the household budget scheme until the deductions are actually effected.
A working group has been appointed under the money advice and budgeting service to see how the processing time might be improved. The working group is expected to report at the end of February and I will have its findings and recommendations examined and implemented, as appropriate, as quickly as possible thereafter.
In the meantime, if the Deputy has information regarding specific issues or individual problems in relation to the household budget scheme, I will be glad to have my Department examine them.
