Mayo minister announces An Post contract to deliver cash welfare payments across the country
An Post will deliver approximately 25 million welfare payments to customers across Ireland in 2026 under a new contract with the Department of Social Protection.
The new Cash Payment Services contract means that cash payments for pensions, jobseeker’s allowance, child benefit, and other welfare supports can be collected at local An Post outlets.
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary announced the contract today, confirming that it began on January 1, 2026, and will run until December 2028, with an option to extend for an additional year.
The contract with An Post followed a competitive tender process aimed at securing the best value and highest quality service for both customers and taxpayers.
Welcoming the new contract, Minister Calleary said that almost 25 million welfare payments have been delivered to customers through the An Post Network in 2025.
“Now that this new contract is in place, my Department, in conjunction with An Post will, continue to provide the important provision of cash payments to the Department’s customers who rely on this service across urban and rural communities,” he added.
Debbie Byrne, Managing Director of An Post Retail, said the company was pleased to continue delivering cash payments to Department of Social Protection customers across Ireland.
“Through investment in our unique network of 880 Post Offices, technology, training, and our dedicated staff and Postmasters, we will continue to ensure customers’ access to secure, reliable cash payments, so essential to local communities.
“Post Offices handled more than €7 billion in DSP payments last year, showing huge resilience during extreme weather events and other challenges to serve customers.
“We look forward to our continued close working relationship with the Department over the coming years,” she added.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.