A Kerry TD has condemned Government offices after a 75-year-old had to call a friend to help as he was not allowed to pay for his licence with cash.
Deputy Michael Healy-Rae criticised the actions of a local National Driver License Service (NDLS) office that refused to accept a payment of €35 in cash from a 75-year-old man who had to ring a friend to come and pay for him so he could receive his three year licence.
He described the hurt and embarrassment felt by the gentleman as "one of the meanest things I have heard in a long time."
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"How is it illegal to pay legal tenure at a government department dispensing a vital service like a driving licence," the Kerry elected representative asked.
Acknowledging the new cashless measures brought in by the driver licensing service, he stressed that they must revert back to pre-Covid scenarios and allow people who still use cash as their preferable way to pay as way of doing so.
“I would love to know when did this Government decide to reduce the possibility of paying cash for people. This is not the Ireland we want for our older generation," Deputy Michael Healy-Rae said after the incident.
In a response to the Irish Mirror, the Department of Transport explained that the NDLS is managed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation.
"The NDLS ceased handling cash during Covid-19 and continued this practice under the new NDLS Front Office contract," they said.
Alternatives to cash payments are available, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Payzone vouchers.
"Any customer requiring personal assistance to use the NDLS service is welcome to be accompanied by a person who can make a payment on their behalf," they added.
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