Mayor of Clare Cllr. Pat Daly says Government plans to move social welfare payments to a purely electronic system could spell the “death knell” of rural post offices in County Clare.
He urged Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton to reconsider the move given what he called the “negative social and economic implications” of her proposal for communities across Ireland.
Mayor Daly explained: “Post offices will be unable to remain financially viable in rural parts if these traditional over-the-counter transactions are ended. Furthermore, the move to an electronic payment system would require social welfare recipients who do not have bank accounts to establish one and consequently incur rising bank charges, which is something they can ill afford.”
Mayor Daly added: “Customers should be afforded the option of whether they receive payments electronically or over the counter in their local post office. No consideration is being given to those who live in rural or isolated parts of the country and do not have easy access to a bank or online banking. I have spoken with Post Office masters in County Clare who have said in no uncertain terms that this proposed move is nonsensical and potentially damaging to those who work within the sector as well as customers. Minister Burton should at least offer customers the choice of receiving payments electronically or via the current over the counter method.”
He urged Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton to reconsider the move given what he called the “negative social and economic implications” of her proposal for communities across Ireland.
Mayor Daly explained: “Post offices will be unable to remain financially viable in rural parts if these traditional over-the-counter transactions are ended. Furthermore, the move to an electronic payment system would require social welfare recipients who do not have bank accounts to establish one and consequently incur rising bank charges, which is something they can ill afford.”
Mayor Daly added: “Customers should be afforded the option of whether they receive payments electronically or over the counter in their local post office. No consideration is being given to those who live in rural or isolated parts of the country and do not have easy access to a bank or online banking. I have spoken with Post Office masters in County Clare who have said in no uncertain terms that this proposed move is nonsensical and potentially damaging to those who work within the sector as well as customers. Minister Burton should at least offer customers the choice of receiving payments electronically or via the current over the counter method.”
