Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:139 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare the further controls, if any, he intends to put in place to monitor the claims of a mobile population. [17382/96]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Claims.
Control activity is a continuing feature of my Department's day to day work. An enhanced programme of systematic controls in the unemployment payments area has recently been introduced to ensure that only those who are genuinely eligible to receive social welfare payments do so. Under the current programme all new claims for social welfare are carefully scrutinised to ensure that claimants understand their obligations, that they provide full and accurate information on their circumstances including their abode and that they are aware of the employment support services available; Social Welfare local officers are currently engaged in a major campaign to verify the recorded addresses of all customers in receipt of an unemployment payment. This initiative entails issuing a mailshot to all live register claimants and the programme includes interviews and home visitations where appropriate. Full use is being made of the register of electors and other records in an effort to identify instances of possible abuse.
Steps are being taken to ensure that addresses will be kept up to date in the future by placing a greater emphasis on this at signing stage and by reminding customers in various ways, including the use of posters in local offices of the need to keep the Department informed if they move address.
The integration of the unemployment payments and supplementary welfare allowance systems currently under way will also contribute to an improved address data base.
These controls apply generally to all persons on the live register. Special attention is also applied to certain categories because of their particular circumstances and the possibilities for abuse.
I am determined to tackle fraud and abuse of the social welfare system effectively and I am satisfied that the measures now being put in place will significantly reduce the opportunities for such abuse.
Brendan Smith
Ceist:143 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Social Welfare the proposals, if any, he is considering to alter the method of payment of social welfare through outlets other than post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18791/96]
An Post is currently the principal agency through which payments are delivered to Social Welfare customers. Each week An Post delivers on average about 790,000 weekly and 424,000 monthly payments with a total value of £61.1 million to Social Welfare customers.
In recent years my Department has introduced a number of new payment methods and options for Social Welfare customers. My intention is to continue this process to ensure that the most modern and the widest range of payment methods are available to Social Welfare customers.
The principal change was the introduction of an electronic funds transfer facility which enables payments to be made by direct credit to personal accounts at banks and certain other financial institutions including An Post. This is available across a number of social welfare schemes, including child benefit, pensions, unemployment and sickness schemes. Currently some 95,200 people are availing of this option and some 25 per cent of all new child benefit and 16 per cent of all new pensions customers opt for this method of payment.
New technologies and "cashless" money transmission facilities which are now coming on stream are being examined by my Department with a view to expanding further the range of payment methods and facilities from which customers may choose according to their personal needs and preferences.