South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin welcome Post Office benefits move

Published: 14 November, 2008

Balmoral Sinn Féin representative Vincent Parker has welcomed the decision to by the Department of Work and Pensions to issue the contract to allow Post Offices to receive and dispense people's pensions and benefits.


Mr Parker said,

"The announcement is a positive one and one that will be well received. It will undoubtedly lead to two things. Firstly it will allow a greater amount of access for people on benefits and pensions to access those benefits in a convenient and practical way. For many people, but especially older people, post office provide a community based, local focal point for these transactions.


"Secondly, this will aid the sustainability of many post offices, providing an essential service that many in the community will avail of therefore aiding local employment.


"These factors of course are to be welcomed but to ensure the continued survival of many of these local post offices more services need to be offered. This is the only way to guarantee the future of what many in the community see as a valuable service."

CRÍOCH