Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has welcomed the announcement by Minister Dara Calleary that An Post has been awarded the Department of Social Protection’s new Cash Payment Services contract.
The contract provides for over-the-counter cash payments to social welfare recipients, something Deputy Brendan Smith says is critical for people across Cavan and Monaghan.
Speaking about the announcement, Deputy Brendan Smith told Northern Sound: "I am delighted that the essential and critical component of over-the-counter payments will be provided by An Post. Around 30% of social welfare recipients receive their payments from cash over the counter payments.
"Over the counter payments are a crucial part of how people receive their social welfare payments right across the country. For some people it may be their only day of the week out of the house, so from a social point of view this is most welcome, specifically for our older population."
The new Cash Payment Services contract began on the 1st of January 2026 and will expire in December 2028, with the Department having the option of extending that by an extra year after the initial three years.
Deputy Smith added: "I would like to thank my party colleague Minister Dara Calleary for his hard work on delivering this contract. I also want to thank An Post for their ongoing engagement and for offering many people across the country the opportunity to be paid over the counter as is their preference. The Post Office Network provides a great service for communities throughout the country."
