Vol. 571 No. 1
1356 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason no arrangements exist whereby old age pensioners living in local authority sheltered housing complexes cannot have their rent payments deducted at source; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20039/03]
The household budget scheme which is operated by An Post on behalf of my Department gives easy pay options for household bills to certain categories of social welfare recipients who are paid electronically. It is available to those who are in receipt of unemployment assistance, one parent family payment, disability allowance, invalidity pension and widow's or widower's contributory pension.
For technical reasons it is not possible at present to extend this facility to old-age pensioners. A new computer system for all long-term payments, including pensions is being developed and, when fully implemented, will allow household budgeting to be extended to pensioners.
Question No. 1357 withdrawn.
