Mr. Mark Griffin:

I know there are no plans to issue further letters at this stage. In fairness to the Department of Social Protection, it will pay over €50 million to An Post under a contract for the cash payment services to welfare customers this year. As I mentioned, the contract may be extended. In fact, it can be extended up to the end of December 2019. My colleagues in the Department of Social Protection are better able to speak on this issue than I will ever be. I am sure that, at some stage, this committee will be speaking to them about it. One would imagine, however, that if the Department of Social Protection did not explore options to ensure the funding available to it to discharge its functions is being used to the best effect, it would be equally open to criticism. It has a very clear payment strategy, published a number of years back, that set out a schedule for the moving, where possible, from cash payments to EFT payments. I do not believe that schedule is in any way being complied with. In fact, those concerned are quite behind in terms of the process. However, we are engaging with the Department of Social Protection and a whole range of other Departments and State agencies in regard to what other services could realistically be provided through the post office network. As I said, the trial was a small trial, involving 2,800 letters out of a client base of 800,000 who receive cash payments through An Post.