Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
64. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection the expanded services that will be provided by the An Post Network on behalf of his Department;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2791/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2025, An Post was awarded the contract for the Department of Social Protection’s Cash Payment Services contract. This contract provides for over-the-counter personal cash payments to welfare recipients on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection. About 30% of payments made to the Department’s customers are made by cash collection.
In the contract, An Post commit to providing an over-the-counter personal cash payment service to customers on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. The key elements of the Cash Payment Service to customers of the Department of Social Protection include:
• A facility in an outlet whereby payments can be paid directly to Customers in person (“Customer Facing Service”) together with other elements of the services at an outlet physically located so as to meet the Minister’s requirements. Outlets must be available within three (3) kilometres of 95% of the population in an urban area and within fifteen (15) kilometres of 95% of the population in a rural area.
• Robust treasury management systems.
• Excellent accounting and reconciliations arrangements.
• Systems to handle payment exception and associated liability.
• Customer identity management and suspected fraud prevention & detection services.
• Emergency same day services.
• A voluntary micro-budgeting service.
• Systems to enable nominated agents to collect on behalf of a Customer.
An Post provide the services during normal hours of business which is five and a half (5.5) days per week during normal business hours.
An Post ensure the necessary security and logistics arrangements are in place so that the full cash requirement for all customers at each payment Outlet can be met and customers receive their payment promptly and in full. This includes during peak business periods such as Christmas and other holidays when the Department may make advance payments to customers.
Under the contract An Post also delivers the voluntary micro-budgeting facility, also known as the Household Budgeting Facility as part of their services on behalf of the Department:
• An Post facilitate the deduction and remittance of voluntary micro-budgeting payments which assist Customers to manage their weekly income, for example to utility companies, local authorities / housing bodies and credit unions.
• An Post implement any statutory deductions from customer payments before a cash payment is made. For example, in respect of rents payable for housing support from specified housing bodies.
