Written answers
Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Payments
Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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491. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the proactive actions that have been taken to inform recipients of payments made by bank transfer that due to the closure of a bank (details supplied) alternative bank details will need to be provided to ensure that there is no interruption to payments. [16666/22]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been working with Ulster Bank in order to assist customers with the smooth transitioning from Ulster Bank to another financial institution. My officials are also actively liaising with the Banking Payments Federation of Ireland to assist in the transitioning.
Internally, my Department has established a task team to manage the process. It is intended that all of the Department's Ulster Bank customers will be provided with information in order to assist them in the transition from Ulster Bank to another financial institution.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that all payment change requests are being monitored carefully to ensure they are being processed as quickly as possible. As the processing times may vary, it is important that customers impacted do not close their Ulster bank account until they receive their Department of Social Protection payment into their new bank account.
The fastest way for a customer to advise my Department of their new payment details is through the on-line portal on www.MyWelfare.ie. Many customers are advising the Department of their new payment details through this service and I would encourage the continued use this option.
Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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492. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the length of time that it takes to change bank account details on the mywelfare app given the imminent need for welfare recipients to provide alternative bank details due to the closure of a bank (details supplied). [16667/22]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The fastest way for a customer to advise my Department of their new payment details is through the change of payment service on www.MyWelfare.ie. This service allows customers with a verified MyGovID account to advise the Department of their Change of Payment Method details quickly, and without the need to obtain a paper form, and this request is then sent to the relevant scheme area.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that all payment change requests are being monitored carefully to ensure they are being processed as quickly as possible due to the pending closure of Ulster Bank.
As the processing times for payments vary, it is important that customers impacted do not close their Ulster Bank account until they receive their Department of Social Protection payment into their newly nominated bank account.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind and wishes to forward the details, I will ensure that it followed up by my Department.
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