Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 4

Written Answers. - Mail Costs to Overseas Personnel.

Willie Penrose

Question:

126 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Defence if he will allow mail and other communications to personnel serving in Lebanon and overseas to be charged at ordinary rates in view of the fact that the cost of postage can be substantial in some cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Andrews)

The rates charged for mail and telephone communications to Lebanon and other overseas missions are the responsibility of An Post and Telecom Éireann which come within the remit of the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications.

There are concessionary postage rates for personnel serving in Lebanon and Somalia. A comparison between full and concessionary rates is as follows:

	Full Rate	Concessionary Rate
Aerogrammes	45p	10p
Newspapers	£4.88 for 320g(average)	32p per copy
Letters	52p per 20g	44p for 20g

There is also provision by the Department of Defence of free monthly telephone calls home to Ireland for personnel serving with all unaccompanied overseas missions.