asked the Minister for Social Welfare the arrangements she has made for the payment of old age pensions and other social welfare payments in the Dundalk area where there is presently a postal strike in progress.
Private Notice Question. - Dundalk Postal Strike.
I understand that An Post are making arrangements to have the post office in Dundalk, which is at present closed because of industrial action, opened between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday to pay social welfare pensioners.
In the case of other social welfare payments, only those which are paid by post are likely to be affected. These are disability benefit cheques and postal unemployment payments. Arrangements are being made to enable disability benefit cheques to be collected at the Department's employment exchange in Dundalk. Special arrangements are also being made for postal unemployment payment recipients to enable them to collect the necessary documentation at the point where they normally receive payment.
It is expected that these arrangements will ensure that any delay or inconvenience experienced by pensioners and other beneficiaries will be kept to the absolute minimum. The situation will be kept under continuous review. Community welfare officers will of course be available for persons whose payments are delayed and who are in need.
Will these arrangements continue while the dispute is in progress or are they merely for the the next week or fortnight?
In the case of an industrial dispute we have to be circumspect, careful and discreet in ensuring that our social welfare recipients are properly looked after. We intend to make sure that our social welfare recipients will not be at any loss for the duration of this difficulty.
Will the local employment exchange in Dundalk remain open for longer hours or will there be increased staff to deal with the increased workload.
The only addition is disability benefit cheques to be collected at the employment exchange in Dundalk and the Department are taking all the necessary steps to ensure that there is no inconvenience to those collecting.