Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
225 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures being put in place to ensure that anyone with Ulster Bank receiving a payment from her Department, such as child benefit or pension entitlements, will continue to receive their entitlements; if alternative arrangements are being made to facilitate collection elsewhere, such as at a post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33097/12]
View answerThe Department issues over 1.4 million weekly payments and a further 723,000 monthly payments to its customers. In most cases the Department offers a range of payment options including payment at a local post office via electronic information transfer (EIT), payment through a bank, building society account or certain credit union of the customer's choice via electronic funds transfer (EFT) or by cheque. Payment can be received at Post Offices in respect of Child Benefit and Pensions.
Last week approx. 62,000 weekly payments and 48,000 monthly payments were made to customers who nominated to have their payments made into an account at Ulster Bank.
Bank of Ireland is the Department's primary banker partner and all EFT payment files are routed through them for onwards transmission to other financial institutions in the case of those social welfare customers who bank with institutions other than Bank of Ireland.
The Department is in continuous contact with Ulster Bank in relation to their current difficulties. Ulster Bank has assured the Department that arrangements have been put in place to ensure that customers who have been affected can access their money by contacting their local Ulster Bank Branch. In the circumstances, the Department does not propose to put alternative arrangements in place but will continue to monitor the situation closely.
