Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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169. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the concern of the Irish Postmasters' Union in respect of the recent issue of revised application forms from her Department; if she is aware that this has already impacted on some post offices' business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25932/15]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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170. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update following her own request that her Department review social welfare forms; the time frame for this review; and the suggested neutral wording in relation to payment options that is to be provided. [25933/15]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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171. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a commitment to withdraw the amended, and contentious, social welfare forms currently in circulation; her plans to cease distribution of these forms, being fully cognisant of the potential impact it may hold for smaller post offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25934/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 171, inclusive, together.

Successive Governments and this one most notably, have consistently stated their commitment to maintaining the post office network as set out in the Programme for Government. The post office is seen as a key piece of financial and social infrastructure for both urban and rural areas. Part of the strength of the post office brand, and one of its chief selling points, is that it reaches all parts of the country and can be accessed by anyone. It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focussed network of post offices in the community.

My Department’s continuing support for An Post is apparent, both in terms of the cost of postage services and the value of the contract for welfare payments. In this regard, we anticipate this year that we will pay over €50 million to An Post under a contract for cash payment services to welfare customers. This contract is very substantial in terms of its reach, value and impact.

As you are aware my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Alex White, T.D., formally launched the Post Office Network Business Development Group under the independent Chairmanship of Mr Bobby Kerr in February, 2015 to explore potential commercial opportunities available to the post office network.

I understand An Post is anxious to grow its existing levels of services in the light of emerging market pressures which extend beyond the delivery of welfare payments. In this context I am pleased to note An Post has tendered for the provision of a new payment and transaction account. I look forward to that becoming available in the not too distant future as it will provide alternative payment opportunities for my Department’s customers.

In order to recognise the general societal trend toward electronic payments the Department has been changing some of its application forms and I am aware of concerns that have been raised in regard to some of the amended forms.

I want to emphasise that the amendments do not remove the option to be paid at the post office. This option will remain on the forms. Therefore, customers are free to opt to receive their payment at the post office if they wish. I also want to emphasise that the department continuously reviews its forms to ensure that they are amenable and relevant to all customers. In order to ensure that the department’s forms present payment options equally, I have asked the department to update them to ensure that a neutral wording in relation to payment options is provided and to also ensure that one payment option is not favoured over another.

These amendments will be carried out over the next number of weeks. My officials have already commenced preparatory work on this process and I expect this work to be completed in a timely manner. However, given that the department’s forms are integrated into its automated systems the work must be done carefully and properly to ensure uninterrupted service to our customers. I do not wish to cause delays to our customers through loss of our automated systems due to improperly considered changes or modifications.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the consultation or discussion that took place with postmasters in advance of the decision to issue new social welfare application forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25935/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In order to recognise the general societal trend toward electronic payments the Department has been changing some of its application forms and I am aware of concerns that have been raised in regard to some of the amended forms.

I want to emphasise that the amendments do not remove the option to be paid at the post office. This option will remain on the forms. Therefore, customers are free to opt to receive their payment at the post office if they wish. I also want to emphasise that the department continuously reviews its forms to ensure that they are amenable and relevant to all customers. In order to ensure that the department’s forms present payment options equally, I have asked the department to update them to ensure that a neutral wording in relation to payment options is provided and to also ensure that one payment option is not favoured over another.

These amendments will be carried out over the next number of weeks. My officials have already commenced preparatory work on this process and I expect this work to be completed in a timely manner. However, given that the department’s forms are integrated into its automated systems the work must be done carefully and properly to ensure uninterrupted service to our customers. I do not wish to cause delays to our customers through loss of our automated systems due to improperly considered changes or modifications.

The department does not consult with postmasters in respect of the design of social welfare application forms.