28 January 2016
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Department of Social Protection logo.
Te Department of Social Protection has renewed its contract with An Post for the delivery of over-the-counter cash services to Department of Social Protection customers. The current contract was signed in December 2013 for an initial two years with an option for extension for a further four years in a yearly basis – total of six years.
The value of the contract in 2015 was approx. €54 million with over 38 million social welfare payments being made at Post Offices across the post office network.
West Cork TD Michael McCarthy (Labour)
Labour T.D in West Cork Michael McCarthy has welcomed the announcement “…An Post is a major partner with the Department of Social Protection, and delivers payment services to over one million customers who are getting payments such as pensions, child benefit, and jobseekers payments. These arrangements play a significant role in ensuring that essential social welfare payments are accessible to people through the network of local post offices throughout the country.
“I am very conscious of the important role of the post office for communities throughout the length and breadth of this country, and the extent to which it is a one-stop-shop where people can pay bills and carry out a range of banking and other financial services. I welcome this announcement and the continuation of this vital service.”
“The renewal of this contract underlines the excellent working relationship between the Department of Social Protection and An Post and the quality of the customer service that customers receive at the Post Office counter. This will help sustain business throughout the whole Post Office network.”
