Taking from Peter to pay Paul

Sir, – I note that postmasters are concerned about how a possible Government proposal to discontinue over-the-counter welfare payments – and use electronic payments instead – would affect their post offices’ future viability (Home News, May 6th).

Has anyone considered how this presumably “cost saving” proposal might impact on welfare recipients?

Most of the banks charge fees for personal accounts. The few banks that offer “free banking” do so only to those who lodge at least €1,500 per month into their account. So in future welfare recipients will have no choice but to pay these costly bank charges in order to obtain their entitlements. In this case, “cost saving” means a “cost” to our welfare recipients and a “saving” for our banks. A brilliantly creative way of taking from Peter to give even more to Paul! – Yours, etc,

MIKE RIORDAN,

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Ferndale Avenue,

Killarney,

Co Kerry.