The vice-president of the Irish postmasters’ Union says resuming in-person social welfare payments is a “good news story for post offices”.
Ciaran McEntee, of Threemilehouse Post Office in Co Monaghan, added that the Post Office needs more services like this too “keep it alive”.
At the start of the pandemic, the Government waived the need for job seekers recipients to present to post offices as part of public health measures.
However, recipients of the job seekers allowance are being asked to return to their local post office to claim their payment.
Social Protection Minister Health Humphreys said the direct method was introduced as an “exceptional measure” and wasn’t planned to last forever.
The changes will initially apply to all new jobseekers’ applicants, before extending to others in the coming months.
Ciaran McEntee told Northern Sound that the measure will also help reduce fraud:
