Both my Department and I are in regular contact with An Post, including in relation to the future of the post office network. I have been supportive of An Post's attempts to diversify its income streams. In that regard, An Post has made much progress including the transfer of Aviva Ireland’s branch office personal business insurance business book to One Direct as well as an extended range of AIB services. The opportunity to pay Local Property Tax through the post office network has also been secured.
I brought the issue of the provision of additional public sector business to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. The Committee had its initial consideration of the matter at its meeting on 28 April and agreed to my proposal for a whole-of-government review of the scope for putting additional public services in the post offices. This will be undertaken over the coming months with the aim of a final report, based on the responses made by Departments, being made to the Cabinet Committee in September. In addition, I have written to my Government colleagues, including the Minister for Social Protection, to encourage them to consider what assistance their Departments might be able to give for the stimulation of new business for the post office network.
I see a strong future for the network by using its existing strengths to remain a significant player in the provision of Government, financial and other services. Securing the future viability of the post office network in the longer term will entail the network continuing to modernise, as it is doing, to provide the services that its customers require. Any such developments would need to be subject to competition and public procurement requirements as appropriate.
