Vol. 489 No. 6
544 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the steps, if any, he will take to enable persons in receipt of invalidity pension from his Department to participate in the household budget scheme as operated by An Post; the reason this service is not available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8633/98]
The household budget scheme enables persons in receipt of certain payments to have regular amounts deducted by An Post towards rent, ESB, gas or telephone bills. The scheme was originally applied to unemployment payments which are paid via electronic methods through An Post. For practical reasons the facility is not available to pension payments which are made via order books issued six monthly in advance. However, arrangements are being made to provide the facility to invalidity pensioners who will have to switch from an order book to the electronic system of payment. A similar arrangement has been in place for lone parents since early last year. It is expected to have the new facility in place within a month or so.
As soon as the necessary technical arrangements have been made pensioners will be notified of the new facility.
