Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:226 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has considered changing the social welfare payment week to Monday to Saturday, to bring it into line with most employments. [23134/02]
Vol. 557 No. 6
226 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has considered changing the social welfare payment week to Monday to Saturday, to bring it into line with most employments. [23134/02]
Long term social welfare payments are paid to customers a week in advance with the payment week varying between Thursday to Wednesday or Friday to Thursday depending on the scheme involved. Payments are spread between Wednesday, Thursday and Friday so as to avoid congestion at post offices.
The payment week for unemployment benefit is Thursday to Wednesday and for unemployment assistance, Wednesday to Tuesday. Payments are made in arrears based on the customer's unemployment patterns in the previous week. Payments are spread over a number of days, again to avoid congestion at post offices. People are entitled to payment for all days of unemployment other than waiting days.