Minister Calleary announces renewal of contract with An Post
- Published on: 11 March 2025
- Last updated on: 18 March 2025
- An Post processed 25.7 million Social Welfare payments in 2024
- over €7 billion social welfare payments made through An Post during 2024
- pensions, jobseekers, Child Benefit and other payments can be collected at your local post office
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary today announced the renewal of the department’s contract with An Post to provide pensions, Child Benefit and other Social Welfare payments to the department’s customers at Post Offices in their community.
Speaking today with Debbie Byrne, An Post’s Managing Director of Retail, Minister Calleary said:
“I’m very pleased with the renewal of this contract and the continued relationship between the department and An Post to provide pension, Child Benefit and other Social Welfare cash payments for the year ahead. This is an important service for our customers, many of whom value the opportunity to receive their payments locally and in cash.
“Last year over 25 million cash payments totalling over €7 billion were paid to social welfare recipients through the Post Office network. It is expected that this level of payment will continue during 2025 showing the importance of this service to people across Ireland.”
Debbie Byrne, Managing Director of An Post Retail welcomed the renewal of this important contract and acknowledged the long-standing partnership with Government and the Department of Social Protection:
“The announcement of this renewal will be welcomed by Postmasters and customers alike. It reinforces An Post's commitment to our communities and the vital role we play in their daily lives. Cash payments to the Department of Social Welfare’s 's clients including pension payments , disability allowances, and child benefit, are a significant part of the business of Post Offices. This is a clear example of the value of the Post Office network in maintaining social solidarity and delivering government services and in person ‘face to face’ access to essential services. The importance of our role in maintaining the distribution and supply of cash in an efficient and seamless way to local communities and SME’S cannot be overstated.
"I’d like to thank Postmasters and An Post staff for their continued support in delivering these vital services to communities particularly during adverse weather events and disruptions where they continually overcome obstacles to put the customer first."
Minister Calleary further stated:
“It is the policy of my department that clients making new claims, or seeking to change their payment arrangements, should always be informed about the option to receive cash payments at their local post office, as well as by electronic fund transfer.
“This contract will ensure the continued payment of Social Welfare payments, such as pensions, disability allowances, child benefit and jobseeker payments, through post offices.
"I would also like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the immense efforts and response made by An Post staff and postmasters across the State following Storm Éowyn. Their hard work and commitment ensured that social welfare payments continued to be delivered to people who were most impacted and I greatly appreciate their efforts.”