Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will monitor the effect on pensioners and others on low fixed incomes of the decision of Eircom to introduce a €20 minimum for the payment of bills in post offices; if he will make representations to Eircom to reverse this decision, in view of the hardship it will cause to many who make small but regular payments in their post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37723/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Social Protection is committed to delivering a high quality service for all customers. Over fifty per cent of our payments are delivered through An Post.

An Post operate a Household Budgeting Service on behalf of the Department which is a useful option for people looking to manage their household bills. This is a free, easy to use service and aimed at social welfare customers, collecting their payment with their Social Services Card through An Post. Some 23,000 social welfare customers who receive their money through the Post Office avail of this service.

Under the scheme customers can commit a fixed amount of their weekly social welfare payment towards any number of utility bills, including ESB, Board Gais, Eircom and Local Authority rents or mortgages. I have been assured by An Post that the minimum payments for Eircom bills of €3.50 per week still applies to social welfare customers who continue to avail of the Household Budgeting Service.

The Department also provides a free rental telephone allowance, under the Household Benefits package, which provides assistance towards customers telephone bills. The package is generally available to people living in the State, aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare payment or who satisfy a means test. It is also available to people aged under 66 who are in receipt of certain social welfare disability payments or Carer's Allowance.

The Department would not be in a position to monitor the effects of the new Eircom minimum payment currently in operation in An Post.