Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

280. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to clarify that there were 53 weekly payments of the State (contributory) pension for the tax year 2015 and not 52 as previously indicated by his Department (details supplied). [11387/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the period 1 January to 31 December 2015, the Department paid state pension (contributory) on 52 scheduled payment dates to customers whose pension payment method was either to their post office or to their nominated financial institution, in Ireland.

In order to ensure that customers are paid on or as necessary before their due date, it is common practice to bring payments forward when the due date falls on a public holiday, when post offices and financial institutions are closed. This arrangement was put in place for the 1 January 2016 payment.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.