asked the Minister for Social Welfare in view of the number of robberies which have taken place of moneys being delivered to sub-post offices for payment of social welfare benefits, with particular reference to the Tallaght area of Dublin 24, if he has any plans to change this system.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments System.
22.
The Department are at present undertaking a review of all their various payment systems with a view to providing a better service to recipients, more efficient administrative systems and greater security. Preliminary discussions have already taken place with banking institutions and An Post who are involved in the payment of various social welfare payments. An Post, through their country-wide network of post offices, provide a very acceptable level of service to social welfare recipients which would not necessarily be provided by alternative systems in the short term.
The Department's programme of computerising their major payment area is progressing and arrangements are being made to ensure that their new systems will be able to avail of the most modern methods of payment. The problem of security at post offices is primarily a matter for An Post. It is understood, however, that within the post office network as a whole, considerable progress has been made in reducing losses due to robberies. Security arrangements at all post offices including Tallaght are regularly reviewed and improved.