David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his reply. The checks and balances in operation should ensure that only those entitled to receive various payments receive them. In 2004, almost 196,000 customers paid via the electronic funds transfer received mailshots from his Department. Six thousand of those letters were returned and more than 1,000 claimants' claims were terminated. Is the Minister satisfied that the checks and balances in the electronic funds transfer are in operation? Is he satisfied that only those entitled to receive payments from his Department receive them? What happens when claims are terminated? Is it true that they are terminated mainly because the recipients are no longer at the same address? If that is the case, what kind of losses accrue to the State as a result? Are those losses returned to the Exchequer?

More than 4,500 letters were returned this year and investigations are ongoing. Why is the electronic funds transfer so loose? Why do so many people seem to receive payments to which they are not entitled? The checks and balances may need to be much tighter.

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