Payments for people waiting for income supports are being processed as fast as possible, a Galway TD has assured.
East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon has said that if there are any issues with individual payments, the department will contact the claimants directly.
In the past two weeks, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has experienced unprecedented demand for income supports including the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Jobseeker payments.
Minister Cannon said that these claims are being processed by the Department as quickly as possible and that staff have been working long hours, over weekends and the bank holiday to ensure this.
“I understand that the first COVID-19 related payments, for approximately 90% of claims received from 13 – 19 March were issued last Friday, 20th March and were in customer’s bank accounts on Tuesday, 24th March,” said the Fine Gael TD.
“Some payments did not go forward for various reasons and this is normal. For example some claims may not have met eligibility criteria. Other payments may have been held back due to an error with an IBAN number or an inconsistency between PPSNs.
“The department is working very hard to resolve these issues and is contacting the customers concerned directly.
“Again this week nearly all claims received since 19th March will be processed for payment today (27/3/20) and will be in customer’s bank accounts on Tuesday 31st March.
“The department is processing payments into Irish bank accounts and via the Post Office network only and reassures people that where they are entitled they will receive a payment from the department as soon as possible. Should there be any issues with individual payments the department will contact the claimants directly.”
