Vol. 576 No. 5
450 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason her Department is changing the payment method for family income supplement from booklet to swipe card; the effect this will have on the small rural post offices that do not have the equipment necessary to process swipe card payments; and if this is another attack on rural post offices. [30004/03]
The current FIS computer system limits the choice of payment methods to customers to personalised payable order, PPO, books. As this system is now obsolete, the administration of FIS payments is being migrated to a new computer platform which offers a choice of payment methods including electronic fund transfer, cheque or postdraft. All customers may now select their favoured payment method from these options.
FIS customers can continue to be paid at any post office if they choose to do so. Payments can be made electronically using a swipe card at automated post offices or by manual voucher at non-automated offices.
