Vol. 420 No. 1
55 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the large number of people who are in receipt of pensions from abroad and are being severely affected by the present postal dispute, and if he will outline the alternative arrangements that can be made for these people.
My Department have made arrangements for United Kingdom social security cheques for Irish residents to be distributed in the same manner as social welfare cheques. Under these arrangement payments for people in Dublin postal districts 3 to 24 and the rest of the country are being delivered by post. Payments for people in Dublin postal districts 1 and 2 can be collected at a special centre which my Department operates at Oisin House, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. United Kingdom payments represent the bulk of overseas payments to Irish residents.
Following consultation with the United States Embassy and An Post similar distribution and collection arrangements have been agreed for US payments and the Embassy is now arranging to have these payments brought to Dublin.
My Department continue to monitor the situation and will make every effort to accommodate any other groups who might be in a similar situation. People who usually receive a social security payment through the post from any other country and who are now experiencing difficulties may be entitled to a payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. They should attend their local health board office where community welfare officers are available to assist them.
