Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it is policy to distribute social welfare payments only on Fridays resulting in long queues at certain post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26824/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The current range of payment options offered by my Department to customers includes payment to a bank or building society account, or at a local post office. Customers opt for a particular payment option having regard to their own circumstances. My Department administers a variety of schemes which have weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual payment cycles. For operational and administrative reasons, and to facilitate the distribution of payments through the bank and Post Office networks, each scheme is assigned a day of the week for payment. This ensures that payments to be distributed through Post Offices are evenly spread across the week. In addition, to meet customers needs, payments can be collected on the due date or over a number of days there after.

The post office network, and the operation of any individual post office, is a matter for An Post which is under the remit of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. If the deputy is aware of difficulties arising in any particular office he should bring it to the attention of the management of An Post.