Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The post office network has a very important role in the economic and social infrastructure of small towns and villages. However, An Post does not have the standard bank account facility which, perhaps, should have been developed a long time ago. It now has the opportunity to possibly work in conjunction with whoever might be its preferred partners.

I draw to the attention of the Deputy another element of An Post which is important to me. My Department asks all new jobseekers to collect their payments in person. This is of very significant assistance in deterring fraud. People have to show up and cannot have someone else collect payments for them. An Post potentially has an important role. For example, the postmaster or postmistress knows everyone in the local area. This knowledge provides a front-line of defence against fraud. This is a service which all providers cannot offer. The electronic fund transfers are significantly cheaper. I recently visited Milltown Malbay where I spoke to a number of postmasters and postmistresses. They told me that on Thursdays and Fridays, particularly in the winter months, there was very little activity, except for people coming to collect retirement pensions, for example, who then bought their groceries in the shops.

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