46 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the likely developments in the allocation of the social welfare payments contract at the end of 2001 in view of concerns expressed for the future of the local post office if this contract is removed from An Post. [6111/00]

The contract under which An Post supplies payments delivery services to my Department reached the end of its term on 31 December last. The Government had previously decided that the term of this contract should be extended for a further three years, 2000 to 2002 inclusive.