asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the proposals, if any, to introduce a special low price for the stamps used on Christmas mail in view of the soaring cost of postage.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Christmas Mail Stamp Charge.
7.
(Dublin South-Central): There are no such proposals.
The rate of postage applicable to Christmas cards in unsealed envelopes for delivery in Ireland and Britain is the printed paper basic postage rate of 9½p. This is a reduced rate applicable to all classes of printed matter. A similar reduced rate applies in the foreign post.
In view of the importance in some larger urban areas of contacts at Christmas and similar occasions, particularly for elderly people, would the Minister give some consideration to the suggestion of introducing some type of scheme for people for whom it is, in some cases, little less than a life line.
(Dublin South-Central): I appreciate the Deputy's concern but we get numerous requests for a reduction in postal charges from various charitable organisations which would probably merit it more than that. I am not denying that this does not merit a reduction, but if we reduced the rate in this case we would have to pass it on to other sectors of the postal business. It is very difficult to pick out this particular aspect and say that we should not also apply the reduction to the numerous organisations from whom we receive applications for a reduction in the postal rate.