Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

It is a card for payment that will allow a person to get a full entitlement that week at the post office, or wherever. My concern is that elderly people might be vulnerable. Can the Minister clarify exactly how a payment can be collected by an agent? At the moment, a person can sign one, two or seven cheques and allow somebody else to cash them and bring back the money. Therefore, the person retains a degree of control. My concern with this card system is that a form will have to be signed which contains a date specifying how long somebody is entitled to collect the person's payment. What checks are in the system to ensure there is no abuse? Sadly, we could all refer to instances where that has happened in the past. Perhaps the Minister could concentrate on that issue when she is discussing the card with the various interested groups.

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