Vol. 540 No. 3
82 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position regarding her discussions with the Irish Postmasters' Union and the future of the post office network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20664/01]
83 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if there has been an interim report from the interdepartmental group examining future funding of the post office network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20665/01]
84 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals she has for the funding of the post office network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20666/01]
85 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her position regarding the payment of a subsidy to An Post to assist the loss making post office division to meet the obligations of its commercial mandate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20667/01]
87 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the Government's policy position regarding the post office network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20669/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 85 inclusive, and 87 together.
Following the publication of the Flynn report on the post office network in March last, I announced that the Government had decided to establish an interdepartmental group to provide a blueprint for the future of the network.
The purpose of this group is to review all options regarding the future financing of the post office network on a sustainable long-term basis, and to engage in a consultative process with the relevant parties. Their recommendations will feed back into proposals which I will bring to Cabinet.
Representatives of the interdepartmental group will also meet in the near future with the Irish Postmaster's Union whose views will be taken into consideration.
I expect that the group should conclude its work and report to me by the end of this month.
86 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her proposals to reopen the 50 post offices which have closed in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20668/01]
The Government policy is that there should be no post office closures. However, when vacancies do arise within the network, either through illness, death or retirement, An Post advertises the post at least twice and actively canvass for suitable persons to fill the vacant posi tions. It is only when a suitable candidate for a vacancy cannot be found that a post office is closed on a temporary basis pending an application from such a person. Arrangements for the re-opening of post offices is an operational matter for An Post.
Question No. 87 answered with Question No. 82.
