Post Office security fears over extra cash

Post offices raised concerns over increased security risks today after the Government announced an extra €157m will be handed out over the festive season.

John Kane, general secretary of the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU), said workers were worried by the revelation of the increased amount of money circulating through Post Offices in the run-up to Christmas.

“I can understand the minister wanting to dispense good news that is the nature of politicians but I would have the gravest reservations about the minister drawing attention to what money is available at a post office at any particular point in time and particularly where there is extra money circulating in post offices for the very reason of security,” Mr Kane said.

“They are already vulnerable enough in terms of the kidnappings and the raids there are on post offices without a minister of the state drawing attention to the increased amount of money we are handling.”

The Social and Family Affairs Department today revealed more than one million people are to benefit from a Christmas boost in social welfare payments in the coming weeks.

Social Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan revealed a total of €157m will be handed out over the festive period.

The 100% cash increase will benefit over 855,000 welfare recipients and an estimated 394,000 dependants.

“This bonus payment is relied on by hundreds of thousands of people, and is a lifeline at this time of year as spending pressures increase,” Mr Brennan said.

“This extra social welfare payment at the full 100% rate will now be paid for seven years in a row and is a sign of our commitment to social welfare recipients and to supporting those who most need help, recognition and an extra financial boost, particularly at this time of year.”

Bonus payments will be made on the following dates: 28 November 2006 Jobseekers Allowance (long-term), Farm Assist, Pre-Retirement Allowance; 29 November Disability Allowance; 30 November 2006 Carer’s Benefit, Carer’s Allowance, State Pension (Transition), Invalidity Pension, One-Parent Family Payment: 1 December Disablement Pension; Death Benefit; State Pension; Widow’s/Widower’s; Guardian’s Payment; Blind Pension.

The group representing Post Office workers said it was not consulted before the announcement was made.

“Most post offices and An Post itself will take all the extra precautions that are needed in the context of any extra money being handled in the period,” Mr Kane said, adding he could not reveal security plans.

“The minister probably felt he was entitled to dispense this good news given that they are paying out the extra money but in doing so obviously he has inadvertently drawn attention to the level of money that is being handled in the post offices which I think is not in anybody’s interests, least of all our members.”

Earlier this month, several post office workers and their families were targeted by armed tiger kidnappers in a bid to gain access to the facilities.

In one case, a 62-year-old postmistress was kidnapped from her Whitehall apartment in north Dublin.

After being forced to hand over the keys to the North Strand Post Office, she managed to escape her captors in the early hours of the morning when one of them fell asleep after taking drugs.