Joan Burton TD, Minister for Social Protection, today (22 June 2012) obtained assurances from Ulster Bank that it is taking measures to minimise the impact on customers who have been experiencing delays in receiving their Social Welfare and other payments from the bank.

Ulster Bank has put arrangements in place to assist impacted customers to access funds by contacting their local branch. If the customer visits a branch, they should bring ID with them and any payments details they may have.

Ulster Bank has agreed to extend it opening hours to deal with customers who cannot access their benefit or salary payments. The bank said it would extend the opening hours of certain branches until 7pm this evening.

Ulster Bank also indicated that certain other branches will be open on Saturday 23rd June from 10 am to 3 pm.

Ulster Bank will also open some branches open on Sunday 24th June from 10 am to 1 pm.

Ulster Bank also reassured Minister Burton that customers who have incurred fees or charges as a result of these delays will be fully refunded in due course. The delay has been caused by a technical issue in the processing of certain payments.

The full details of which branches are open are detailed on the Ulster Bank website (www.ulsterbank.ie).