Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her Department has informed pensioners that the use of pension books is being discontinued and will be replaced with a card system; her views on the difficulties this will pose for elderly people who may find adapting to a new system difficult; if she has made provisions within this new system for agents to continue to collect weekly pension payments on behalf of pensioners who are unable to do so themselves; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31580/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department supports government policy which aims to facilitate the greater use of electronic payment systems in the economy in the interests of developing a world class payments environment in Ireland. Our payment strategy is designed to ensure that cost effective arrangements are in place for making payments to social welfare customers by using a range of payment options and to ensure that new payment facilities are made available to customers as they arise.

The Department is implementing a three year strategy to change paper based payment instruments to electronic payments at post offices, banks and other financial institutions on a phased basis. Currently some 80% of customers receive their payment electronically direct to their post office or financial institution.

A range of measures are in place to inform customers being paid using pension books at post offices of the change in their payment method and to address any concerns they may have. Each person is being informed by personal letter of the change in their payment arrangement. A social services card, along with a covering letter explaining how to use the card, is also being issued to them. Posters are being displayed in all post offices, citizen's information centres and throughout the Department's local office network. In addition, the change from paper to electronic payment is a key element of all public information events, seminars and information briefings being carried out by the Department this year.

An Post and the Irish Postmaster's Union (IPU) are committed to assisting customers to adapt to using a social services card to collect their payment. Stakeholders and customer groups representing the elderly, people with disabilities, the unemployed and other groups have been consulted and have welcomed the move to electronic payment at post offices.

The Department and An Post have put arrangements in place to enable the person who collect their payment by card to have an agent appointed if that becomes necessary. A person can apply to have an agent appointed in the normal way and details of the agents name and address, will be sent electronically to An Post every week. This facility has been operational since June 2008 and is working satisfactorily. I am confident that the range of measures to inform customers of the change to electronic payment will ensure a smooth transition for them.