Use of electronic pens in post offices should be banned, says TD

Electronic signature pens should not be used in post offices while Covid-19 case numbers are high, a Sinn Fein TD has said.

Dublin Mid-West TD Mark Ward said that the use of the pens for those collecting their social welfare payments should be suspended like they were during the first wave of restrictions.

Speaking today, Deputy Ward said: “I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are concerned at having to use an electronic pen to sign when collecting their State Pension in recent weeks.

“This practice had been suspended previously due to concerns over the spread of Covid-19.

“It seems bizarre that at a time when Covid cases have never been so high that the practice of every person coming into the Post Office having to use the pen for electronic signature would be continued at this time.

“My colleague Claire Kerrane TD has contacted the Secretary General of the Department of Social Protection and An Post in relation to this and I have asked that this practice be suspended once again as part of efforts to minimise and stop the spread of Covid-19.

“We do not want a situation where older people in particular are worried about having to use the electronic pen when collecting their payment.”