Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the issue of cash, for those who will collect it in their post office, I would tell them to lodge it in their bank account or go to their credit union and put it in there. The credit union is the place to put it. They can take it out when they need it. It is the best way they can manage it. I know from working in a credit union that many a person got extra money and the sensible people went in, put in the credit union and took it out when they needed it. Most credit unions have ATMs as well. That is where they should go with it.

On the means test, the Deputy is right that I do listen here. There are a load of things raised with me during the year, so I was glad I was about to take some of those views on board from across the House and make the difference.

The Deputy talked about the review. There are continual reviews always taking place. We review payments because people’s circumstances change and we need to have the up-to-date information. We have limited resources and we want to target them at those most in need. If people’s circumstances change and they win the lotto, they need to make social protection aware of the changed circumstances. There are reviews ongoing all the time. That is part of our control measures as well - to make sure that when people are receiving the allowances, they are entitled to them and need them. That is part of social welfare and it is important that we carry out those checks and balances.

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