Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004
138 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, with regard to An Post, he has taken steps since the publication of the 2001 Flynn report in respect of recommendations that come under his remit; his policy with regard to meeting the cost of public service obligations currently expected of An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30559/04]
View answerThe Government is committed to a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network. Arising from this commitment, a number of reports, including the Flynn report, have examined modernisation of the network in order to provide a range of products and introduce service delivery channels which meet consumer needs. In order to show its commitment to post office network, the Government approved an equity injection of €12.7 million for An Post to facilitate the modernisation of the network. The equity injection was paid to the company in 2003.
A number of initiatives are underway to implement necessary restructuring of the post office network. Non-automated sub-post offices are being converted to postal agencies offering a limited range of services, namely social welfare payments and purchase of stamps. An Post continues to pursue new business opportunities for the network. Additional business won includes bill paying facilities for the ESB, telephone top-ups through its postpoint service and a contract with the AIB under which the bank's customers can access their accounts through the network. Further opportunities from both the public and private sectors are being actively explored by the company with a view to bringing on stream additional services at the post office counter, wherever possible.
I have no plans to introduce a subsidy payment to An Post. The long-term future of the post office network can only be secured by meeting the needs of customers. In this regard, I have asked the Postmasters Union and An Post to work in partnership with a view to securing existing business and to pursuing new business opportunities as they arise. As outlined above, that strategy is being followed with some success by the company.
