Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

221. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason the post office is not an option for persons to receive their water conservation grant as per information on her Department's website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31381/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 2015 Water Conservation Grant is being administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. It is an annual, once-off payment of €100 per principal private residence registered with Irish Water on 30 June 2015.

The current payment options for this once-off, annual payment are electronic fund transfer or cheque payment. The Department is conscious of the important role of the post office network around the country, not only in respect of social welfare payments but also in offering other financial services such as paying bills and carrying out a range of banking services. An Post has confirmed that Water Conservation Grant cheques can be cashed at Post Offices subject to the customer presenting the required identity documentation.

My Department’s continuing support for An Post is apparent, both in terms of the cost of postage services and the value of the contract for welfare payments. In this regard, we anticipate this year that we will pay over €50 million to An Post under a contract for cash payment services to welfare customers. This contract is very substantial in terms of its reach, value and impact.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

222. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to make the water conservation grant payable at post offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31393/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 2015 Water Conservation Grant is being administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. It is an annual, once-off payment of €100 per principal private residence registered with Irish Water on 30 June 2015.

The current payment options for this once-off, annual payment are electronic fund transfer or cheque payment. The Department is conscious of the important role of the post office around the country, not only in respect of social welfare payments but also in offering other financial services such as paying bills and carrying out a range of banking services. An Post has confirmed that Water Conservation Grant cheques can be cashed at Post Offices subject to the customer presenting the required identity documentation.

My Department’s continuing support for An Post is apparent, both in terms of the cost of postage services and the value of the contract for welfare payments. In this regard, we anticipate this year that we will pay over €50 million to An Post under a contract for cash payment services to welfare customers. This contract is very substantial in terms of its reach, value and impact.