Social welfare payments will be available for collection at Post Offices for up to 90 days after the payment date, An Post has announced.
The postal service is reassuring older people regarding the collection of their pensions after concerns were raised following the introduction of stricter social distancing rules at the weekend.
The company says a person can be nominated to collect the payment on their behalf, with forms available online and in Post Offices.
Head of Communications at An Post, Anna Mc Hugh, says people shouldn't worry about the money due to them.
She said: "We want our social welfare customers at Post Offices not to have any anxiety or worry about their payments.
"Your social welfare payment will be safe and secure, waiting for you to collect it at your local Post Office for up to 90 days, so there's no need for any worry or anxiety.
"And if you're self cocooning or if you're at home and you can't leave the house, that's not an issue either, you can nominate a temporary agent."
All social welfare payments will be held at the Post Office for up to 90 days. Customers can also appoint a temporary agent to collect their payment. Forms available at all post offices or online at https://t.co/NpZ6p6y7Yj
See here for updates https://t.co/DXLC5QyQU0 pic.twitter.com/LuQVgK5UFA— An Post (@Postvox) March 30, 2020
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar listed cocooning among the new measures announced last week aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.
People over the age of 70 are being asked to stay indoors under the new restrictions, with cocooning being put forward as a measure to protect those who are most at risk if they contract the virus.
The advice for the elderly is to stay inside, while people are being asked to only visit those who are cocooning if they are providing essential care.
Additional reporting by Josh Crosbie
