David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in view of the alarming rise in the value of cash taken in armed robberies, he will consider accelerating the take-up of electronic funds transfers or equivalent payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15048/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's policy is to ensure that a range of payment options is available to customers, including electronic funds transfers to customers' accounts. That type of payment arrangement is not compulsory, and there are no plans to make it so.

It is Government policy to facilitate the greater use of electronic payment systems in the economy generally as they become available, and my Department, as a major generator of payments, will have a major part to play in that regard. The Department is undertaking a review of payment methods, and I envisage that the review will be completed by the end of this year.