Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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196. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding her Department's new forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26234/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the wording in my previous reply, which he has quoted, is correct and that I have asked the Department to update the forms to ensure a neutral wording in relation to payment options is provided and to also ensure that one payment option is not favoured over another.

These amendments will be carried out over the next number of weeks. My officials have already commenced preparatory work on this process and I expect this work to be completed in a timely manner. However, given that the Department’s forms are integrated into its automated systems the work must be done carefully and properly to ensure uninterrupted service to our customers. I do not wish to cause delays to our customers through loss of our automated systems due to improperly considered changes or modifications.

The Department issues forms on a yearly basis to An Post and the number of forms issued in the most recent delivery in May this year was 30,000 forms for each of the following schemes, Disability Allowance, State Pension( Contributory), State Pension (Non- Contributory), Family Income Supplement, Carers Allowance and Household Benefits Package.