Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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799. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on the practice of moneys owed being refunded through electronic payments on a system that is not capable of transferring to post office or credit union accounts; and if he will revert to cheques until this is rectified. [26049/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My department makes electronic payments through its banking services provider and the Single European Payment Area (SEPA) system. The department can make payments to any SEPA reachable account within the European Economic Area. SEPA accounts must have an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and be directly or indirectly linked to the SEPA system. Currently 185 Credit Unions are able to receive SEPA payments and my department will make payments to accounts in these Credit Unions, as appropriate and as requested by a customer. I understand that An Post accounts are not SEPA linked and therefore direct electronic credit transfers cannot be made to an account in An Post. Cheques for refunds can be made available in circumstances where there is no alternative.

If the Deputy wishes to advise me of the detail of the particular circumstances which have given rise to the query I shall ask my officials to investigate further.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.