“We Should Enhance Services Available at Post Offices and Credit Unions Rather than Strip them Back” – Brolly.
“We Should Enhance Services Available at Post Offices and Credit Unions Rather than Strip them Back” – Brolly. The Aontú candidate for East Derry, Gemma Brolly, has criticised the announced closure of Post Office Card Accounts. Speaking today Ms Brolly said:
“Yet again we see that another step has been taken to strip back services from our rural communities, with the recent announcement of the closure of Post Office Card Accounts. Our local post offices are the heartbeat of the community, where those behind the counter often welcome their customers on a first name basis and provide much needed social interaction for so many. Post offices are places where local notices can be posted or found to help out neighbours, and of course where postal and banking services are available, for now”.
Ms Brolly continued: “The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has now informed the public that Post Office Card Accounts (POCA) used for receiving benefits or State Pension payments, will be closing. Payments will continue to be paid in full and your payment dates won’t change but how the accessibility of money will. Customers have now been advised to revert to Banks, using their existing current account for their benefit payments, or to open a bank, building society or credit union account if they don’t already have one or finally to use the Payment Exception Service if they cannot open a current account”.
“Aontú believe these efforts to withdraw services from rural community hubs such as Post Offices must be challenged and avoided as far as possible. We encourage everyone to shop local, support local and sustain their communities. Credit Unions are also a very personal service where people have always felt much more at ease and familiar than with multi branch banks and building societies. Upon the withdrawal of services from local post offices, we in Aontú, would encourage the community to consider their local Credit Union as another very efficient and vital service to the people and to rural communities in particular. Aontú will fight hard against the closure of rural services”, concluded Brolly.
