Postal Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2011

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

Questions (51)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

61 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider giving the An Post a stronger role in the strategy on financial inclusion and in particular to enable the post offices here to offer current account facilities to its customers; his views that in the interest of providing choice and greater competition within banking that the role of the post office should be promoted and enlarged by including such services as motor tax renewals, driver licences, and so on; if he will give an assurance that the ESB contract for the payment of bills will remain with An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34026/11]

Written answers

Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan)

A draft report setting out the Strategy for Financial Inclusion was published on my Department's website in June of this year for consultation purposes. The strategy was drafted following a review undertaken by the Social Finance Foundation on my behalf, to identify recommended actions to achieve a substantial reduction in financial exclusion over a 3-5 year period— including the introduction of basic payment accounts on a pilot basis in 2012. It is noted in the report that the post office network has the potential to play a key role in the delivery of basic payment accounts. A number of submissions were received in response to the consultation, and my Department, having reviewed all of the submissions, is currently assessing the best approach to implementation of the strategy. Any products which are offered by the post office network are a matter firstly for An Post — which falls under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.