Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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315. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will respond to a query (details supplied) regarding correspondence issued by her Department which in effect encourages a post office customer to move the processing of social welfare payments to a bank or building society; if this is the policy of her Department; the number of such letters that have been issued; her plans to incorporate a similar once-a-year signing on procedure for such payments in the post office network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16668/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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No attachment was received and the Deputy has not referred to any particular scheme in his question but I assume that he is referring to recent communication from Department officials to job seeking customers aged 62 years and older.

Prior to Budget 2014 older jobseekers were required to comply with the Department’s activation measures when requested to so do, as is the case with other jobseekers. Legislation provides that non-compliance with such activation measures, without good cause, would give rise to the imposition of penalties in the form of payment reductions.

Revised arrangements were announced as part of Budget 2014 to apply to older persons who seek the support of jobseekers schemes in advance of reaching pension age. The measures provide for these clients to sign on an annual basis while continuing to avail of Department supports on a voluntary basis should they wish to return to work, training or education. In addition, provision is made for these clients to receive their payments directly into an account in a financial institution if they so wish.

Communication has been received by some older clients from the Department’s Intreo/Local offices advising them of these changes. It is important to note, however, that the letter neither prevents nor discourages these clients from receiving their payments in the post office but rather it simply informs them of the option to change their payment method.

The Department utilises a number of signing frequencies, ranging from weekly to yearly, based on operational need. There is no correlation between payment method and frequency of signing and jobseeker clients over 62 years of age are required to sign on an annual basis regardless of whether they choose to receive their payments in the Post Office or directly into an account.

Statistics are not available on the total number of letters that have issued in relation to this matter as they are issued by individual Intreo Centres and Local Offices on an ongoing basis in advance of the jobseeker’s 62nd birthday.