Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I welcome the clarification on the campaign that will be undertaken, particularly measures to contact people, raise awareness etc. There was genuine concern about the move to this new type of payment, particularly among the small and diminishing numbers who are not used to the electronic world at present.

I want to ask the Minister two supplementary questions on this matter. Has she any intention of using this as an opportunity to push for a greater degree of financial inclusion and to encourage particular groups, such as older people and lone parents, who do not have savings accounts to use it as an opportunity to promote that idea as well, particularly in the post offices?

There has been a degree of confusion on this issue. Elderly people are currently able to sign the back of their book for a couple of weeks and allow somebody else to collect the payment for them. There is concern about how that will operate under the new electronic system. If somebody signs a form, how long will that form last? Elderly people can be abused by others who are supposed to care for them but who are trying to get some financial gain out of the abuse. I want to ensure the system is watertight so that cannot happen.

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