In the period 1 January to 31 December 2015, the Department paid state pension (contributory) on 52 scheduled payment dates to customers whose pension payment method was either to their post office or to their nominated financial institution, in Ireland.
In order to ensure that customers are paid on or as necessary before their due date, it is common practice to bring payments forward when the due date falls on a public holiday, when post offices and financial institutions are closed. This arrangement was put in place for the 1 January 2016 payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.