Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department is sending letters encouraging persons to receive welfare payments directly to their bank account rather than by collection at a post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13795/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The letters recently issued by the Department to 2,800 recipients of State Pension Contributory and Non Contributory were part of a very small trial to determine the best means of communicating with people about their payment options. Customers were asked whether they would like to consider receiving their payment directly into an account in a bank, building society, certain credit union accounts or An Post. Customer engagement was entirely voluntary with no negative consequences for customers who chose not to respond or engage. All existing payment options remain in place as heretofore.

We are all aware of the general societal trend to electronic payments. This trend undeniably presents a challenge for the current business model of An Post. In this context I am pleased to note that An Post has advertised for services relating to a new payments and transaction account. I look forward to that account becoming available in the not too distant future.