Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 May 2013
94. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a request for a pension to be electronically transferred to an An Post account will be facilitated in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26412/13]
View answerUnder the Public Service Transformation Plan, which was published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in November 2011, Payable Orders will be abolished as a method of payment from August 2013. This decision is being implemented by all Government Departments. Hereafter pensions will be paid by Electronic Funds Transfer only. In order to ensure continued payment of pension when Payable Orders cease the Department is seeking account details from the remaining small number of pensioners who continue to get paid by Payable Order. An Post has confirmed to officials from my Department that they are unable to accept payments by way of Electronic Funds Transfer into their accounts. The person referred to by the Deputy should seek to make arrangements to provide account details which will accept payment of pension by Electronic Funds Transfer. All banks accept EFT payments and a number of Credit Unions now also accept EFT payments.
