Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the water refund cheques issued in the past few days, which have been brought to my attention by people in Carlow. The issue also was discussed on "Liveline" today. It is an issue that affects elderly people in particular and is another attack on rural Ireland. As I understand it, a person issued a water refund cheque who does not have a bank or post office account is unable to cash the cheque. The cheque is an AIB cheque but if the recipient does not have an AIB bank account or a post office account, it cannot be cashed at the post office, which is where many elderly people in particular paid their water charges. Many people are very upset about this. Many more water refund cheques will be issued in the next few days. The process of opening a bank or post office account takes a long time because of the requirement to produce various pieces of documentation and photo ID.I ask that the Minister put something in place, particularly as this is an attack on rural Ireland. There are people in Ireland who do not have bank or post office accounts. They live from day to day and do not have accounts. The Minister needs to address this or clarify whether one must have an account if one goes in with one's water cheque to get a refund. It also is important to be aware that Focus Ireland, the Simon Community and the Peter McVerry Trust have all joined forces to ask people, if they can, to help by donating their payment to The Refund Project. As Members are aware, there is a housing crisis and they have got together in this way. The issue I raised is serious. People today are disheartened because when they got their cheque, they thought they would have the money for Christmas. They need it and I again seek clarification from the Minister.