The 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. The overarching objective continues to be the retention of post offices services, in as many locations as possible, in the manner which best meets consumer needs, whether via post offices, postal agencies or the PostPoint network.
It may be helpful to illustrate the current strength of the network. There are 1,000 automated post offices, 475 non-automated post offices and 160 postal agencies. Furthermore, 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 have been implemented, including the provision in 2003 of Government equity, amounting to some €12.7 million to assist with the modernisation process. The post office network 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 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 andBarclays Bank credit cards, 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 where possible.
The long-term future of the post office network 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 pursuing new business opportunities at every opportunity. As outlined above, that strategy is being followed with some success.
I have had no discussions with the European Commission regarding the social welfare payments contract between An Post and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Any such discussions are a matter for that Department.