asked the Minister for Finance if considerable savings in postal charges and stationery could be made if all Government Departments, State agencies, the Army and the Garda were obliged to rationalise their postal requirements where they have more than one letter going to the same individual on a regular basis, as in the case where many salary-wage cheques from an Army barracks (details supplied) in Dublin 9 are sent on the same day each month to the manager in a bank, all in separate envelopes; and if he will agree to issue a directive requiring multiple letters or cheques to be placed in one envelope, thus reducing the cost to the taxpayer of the envelopes and postal charges.
Written Answers. - Departmental Postal Costs.
41.
In 1983 a circular issued to all Departments urging strict examination of postal costs and elimination of any wasteful practices. Electronic payment of salaries direct to bank accounts — Paypath — reduces postal costs and already applies to many public servants. Discussions are in progress with the Associated Banks to extend this facility to certain categories not covered by existing arrangements. Further instructions are being issued to all Departments to critically review their postal operations in order to achieve maximum economies.
I am informed that the Department of Defence issued instructions in 1985 that would meet the Deputy's suggestion. This instruction has been reissued to all units.