An Post the key provider of welfare payments

BARBARA and Jack O’Connell (Letters, February 13) mistakenly credit An Post “with the idea to encourage social welfare recipients to have their payments made into their bank accounts”.

For some time now the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, has been offering social welfare benefit recipients a range of payment options including the post office network and directly to bank accounts.

An Post, as the key provider of social welfare payments, is well aware of the linkage between social welfare and footfall through post offices, and of our invaluable, customer-friendly payment services to customers receiving social welfare benefits. Proof of positive thinking from An Post includes our constant efforts to extend the range of services as we work to keep the post office network relevant to customer needs.

This includes dealing with social welfare customers in a way that suits them. It is not in our interest to reduce the amount of business of any kind carried out in our offices. Neither is it in our interest to do anything other than continue to provide a vibrant post office network.

Angus Laverty

Public Affairs Manager

An Post

GPO

Dublin 1