Minister Calleary signs new contract with An Post for cash payments at post offices

8 January 2026

Today, Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary announced that An Post has been awarded the contract for the Department of Social Protection’s new Cash Payment Services contract.

The Department’s Cash Payment Services contract provides for over-the-counter personal cash payments to welfare recipients.  About 30% of payments made to the Department’s customers are made by cash. 

The awarding of the contract to An Post follows a competitive tender process to secure the best-value and best-quality provision for customers and taxpayers.  
The new Cash Payment Services contract began on the 1st of January 2026 and will expire in December 2028.  After the initial three-year contract period is complete, the Department has the option to extend the contract for one additional year.

Welcoming the new contract, Minister Calleary said:

“An Post delivered almost 25 million welfare payments to our 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.”  

Debbie Byrne, Managing Director of An Post Retail said: 

“An Post is pleased to continue delivering cash payment services 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.