ALL social welfare recipients have been warned to be aware of a major payment schedule shake-up today.
The government has confirmed that every single cash boost will be paid out early ahead of the St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday weekend.
All Intreo centres, local branch offices, post offices and banks will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, which falls on March 17.
They will reopen again on Tuesday but thousands of people expecting money to land into their accounts on Monday have been warned that the cash will hit three days early.
Anyone who is due to get a payment on Monday should expect the boost to land into their accounts today instead.
The Department of Social Protection said: “Monday 17 March is a Bank Holiday and as a result, any social welfare payments due to be in your account on Monday 17 March will now be paid on Friday 14 March instead.
“Payments will be paid as normal on Tuesday 18 March.
“All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 17 March.
“Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will reopen on Tuesday 18 March.”
It comes after the Minister for Social Protection renewed the department’s contract with An Post to provide social welfare payments to people in the community.
Minister Dara Calleary confirmed that pensions, jobseekers, Child Benefit and other payments can be collected at your local post office.
Over €7 billion social welfare payments were made through An Post during 2024.
Minister Calleary said: “I’m very pleased with the renewal of this contract and the continued relationship between the department and An Post to provide pension, Child Benefit and other Social Welfare cash payments for the year ahead.
“This is an important service for our customers, many of whom value the opportunity to receive their payments locally and in cash.
“Last year over 25 million cash payments totalling over €7 billion were paid to social welfare recipients through the Post Office network.”
BANK HOLIDAYS 2025
THERE are 10 public holidays in Ireland every year.
The next bank holiday falls on March 17, St Patrick’s Day.
New Years Day, Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and St Patrick’s Day are the only bank holidays that don’t always fall on a Monday.
The days varying depending on the year.
This year, however, St Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday, meaning there are only three not falling on the first day of the week.
The full list of bank holidays this year are:
- Wednesday January 1, 2025
- Monday February 3, 2025
- Monday March 17, 2025
- Monday April 21, 2025
- Monday May 5, 2025
- Monday June 2, 2025
- Monday August 4, 2025
- Monday October 27, 2025
- Thursday December 25, 2025
- Friday December 26, 2025
Calleary said the same level of payment is expected to continue throughout this year.
He added: “It is the policy of my department that clients making new claims, or seeking to change their payment arrangements, should always be informed about the option to receive cash payments at their local post office, as well as by electronic fund transfer.
“This contract will ensure the continued payment of Social Welfare payments, such as pensions, disability allowances, child benefit and jobseeker payments, through post offices.”
Debbie Byrne, Managing Director of An Post Retail, said the announcement will be welcomed by customers and Postmasters alike.
She said: “Cash payments to the Department of Social Welfare’s ‘s clients including pension payments , disability allowances, and child benefit, are a significant part of the business of Post Offices.”
