Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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411. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if financial statements are always required for social welfare payments, including the medical card and GP visit card schemes; if these schemes can be accessed by persons without a bank account; the safeguarding in place to protect the financial details of those who receive payments through social welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21594/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Social Protection administers Ireland’s social protection system. Customers are required to provide personal data to determine eligibility for relevant payments and benefits. In the case of means tested payments, this often requires supporting documentary evidence of bank accounts to ensure that the Deciding Officer has all the necessary facts relevant to the claim in order to ensure the correct rate of payment is made. Bank accounts are not required to enable persons to access social welfare payments as my Department also facilitates payments through the An Post Network.

My Department operates under a number of Acts which provide that personal data may be legally processed. The main Act is the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Access to personal data is restricted to those staff members who need the information to carry out their official duties. Personal data may only be shared with other Government Departments and agencies where provided for by law. My Department’s data protection policy is available at www.gov.ie/dsp/privacystatement.

The medical card and GP visit card schemes are administered by the HSE.

I trust that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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412. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a refund will be paid to a person (details supplied) whose additional €200 payment was reduced by an amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21629/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Spring Cost of Living Bonus is one of the range of measures put in place to help social protection recipients including families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

It is one lump sum payment of €200 for each eligible person in receipt of a primary payment in their own right. The €200 lump sum payment was paid week commencing Monday 24th April 2023 to over 1.2 million people in receipt of long-term social welfare payments at a cost of approximately €250 million.

The full €200 cost of living payment was paid, but in a small number of cases direct debits agreed via the An Post Household Budgeting system were applied to the bonus payment, in addition to being applied to a person’s normal weekly payment.

The department is working with An Post, the local authorities and accommodation providers to identify the people affected. In cases where rent was deducted, the department will recover the amount deducted and arrange for a refund to the affected customers.

It is expected that refunds for rent will be made to customers, including the person concerned, by the end of May.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.