Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Fianna Fáil TD for Longford/Westmeath, Robert Troy has welcomed the announcement that jobseeker payments will return to the post office in line with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
Minister Troy commented, “As a postmaster of a rural post office in my hometown of Ballynacargy, I am acutely aware of the challenges facing post offices at present. This announcement will help support the post office network right across the country and will be welcomed by so many working in our post offices.
“The return of jobseeker payments to post offices will also bring additional footfall, as well as helping to combat social welfare fraud. Our post offices, which remain an important part of our rural communities, have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and this announcement is another sign of a return to normality for them. The changes will apply initially to all new jobseeker applicants before being extended to other jobseekers over the coming months,” the Longford/Westmeath TD added.
When public health restrictions were introduced in 2020, people in receipt of social welfare were given the option of being paid into a bank account.
This was an exceptional measure to help reduce the spread of the virus and ensure people could comply with social distancing guidelines.
But following consultation with An Post and the Irish Postmaster’s Union (IPU), jobseeker payments will now return to the post office.