This morning customers of a number of banks did not receive child benefit and other social welfare payments owing to a systems-wide banking issue. I appreciate that it was not an error of the Government, but, of course, it has caused considerable concern and anxiety for many who rely on these payments. Will the Taoiseach confirm for the House that the systems error has been corrected and that people have now received their payments and indicate when the investigation by the Department into the error might be finalised and the findings made public?

I believe it was an issue with the EU payments system but that it has now been resolved. All social welfare customers should have received their payments by now, or, if not, they should receive them during the course of the day. The Department is monitoring the position, but if any customer is encountering difficulties, he or she is encouraged to contact the community welfare service at his or her local Intreo office.