Government Unsure If Paying Social Welfare Electronically Will Save Money

The Irish Government is unsure if paying social welfare electronically will save the government money. The concern is because of the anti-fraud measures that must be developed, as well as future-proofing the system.

The Department of Social Protection received approval for greater use of electronic fund transfers in the welfare system. Now most jobseekers collect their payments from a local post office and there are fears that the switch to electronic payments would drive businesses away from the struggling post office network.

When the Minster for Social Protection, Joan Burton was asked about if the roll out of these changes would save money and what sum, the Minister responded that “the figure requested by the Deputy is not available,” but the Department “is very conscious of the need to ensure that fraud controls are not diminished when implementing change”.

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