Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2004
150 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the Government’s policy regarding the future of small, rural post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31780/04]
View answerThe Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable rural post office network as set out in the programme for Government.
It may be useful, at this stage, to illustrate the current strength of the network. There are 1,000 automated post offices, 475 non-automated post offices and 160 postal agencies. An Post has established 3,000 Postpoint outlets in retail premises, of which 600 can be used for bill payment.
The future of the post office network has been subject to a number of studies and reviews in recent years and many of the recommendations made have been implemented. The post office network at present has a high volume of people passing through the premises, a recognised brand name and a countrywide retail network. The priority for all stakeholders is to build on these strengths to maintain and increase the amount of business being conducted through the network in order to secure its future.
There is widespread recognition that the best development strategy to sustain the network is for An Post to continue adapting to its customer needs within the financial constraints in which it now finds itself. As part of this strategy, An Post has secured additional business for the network, including bill pay facilities for the ESB, phone top-ups through their 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, where possible.
The long-term future of the post office can only be secured by meeting the demands of customers. In this regard, I have asked the Irish Postmasters' Union and An Post to work in partnership with a view to securing existing business and to pursue new business opportunities at every opportunity. As outlined above, that strategy is being followed with some success by the company.
The overarching objective going forward continues to be the retention of post office services, in as many locations as possible, in the manner which best meets consumer needs whether services are provided via post offices, postal agencies or the Postpoint network.
