Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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49. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the engagement her Department has had with An Post in regard to expanding existing relationships with it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40146/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While responsibility for An Post rests with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the company is a key service provider for the Department of Social Protection as it operates the Department’s contract for cash payment services. The Department has an excellent relationship with An Post which was most keenly demonstrated at the onset of the current pandemic when both organisations worked closely with each other to ensure customers continued to receive their payments in difficult circumstances.

In the last 12 months, my Department has made approximately 73.7 million social welfare payments of which 21.4 million were by cash via the post office network.

Given its importance as a payment provider for the Department, my officials meet with An Post at least once each month to maintain and improve these services. In addition, along with officials from my Department, I met with a delegation from An Post in September. Subsequently, further discussions have taken place between senior management from the Department and An Post regarding the future relationship between the two organisations.