asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that not only have depositors in the Post Office to give two days' notice of withdrawal of a deposit, but also in some cases to wait for cheques to be cashed by the Post Office officials, and if he will look into this matter, which is occasioning inconvenience to the public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Withdrawal of P.O. Deposits
In the case of applications for withdrawal by post, the warrants for payment are despatched from the Savings Bank headquarters on the day of receipt if received before the afternoon, and arrangements are made at the same time to ensure that funds will be available locally to meet the warrants. In addition, depositors are afforded facilities for immediate withdrawals, i.e., "on demand," up to amounts of £1, and "by telegraph" up to amounts of £10.
No complaint has been received of inconvenience occasioned to the public by the present arrangements.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I want to say that I received a complaint, and it is hard to understand that that was the first delay that has ever occurred in this country. It is rather hard to believe that, considering that the letter I received stated that it was written owing to the publicity given to the Minister's statement that there was no desire for increased facilities in the way of withdrawing money on demand, giving the personal experience of a depositor; apparently not only has a depositor to give the requisite notice, but if the amount is rather large, he has to wait until the Post Office people obtain facilities from the bank for cashing the cheque or draft. I do not know how the Minister can describe that as an up-to-date institution in view of these statements, and I would like if he would look into it further.