I thank Deputy Carol Nolan and wish her a long career in the House. I send my good wishes to Deputy Brian Stanley.
It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong, viable company in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a national network of customer focused post offices in the community. The post office network plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike. However, the postal sector is undergoing systemic change, with migration towards electronic communications resulting in core mail volume decline year on year.
In recognition of the changing commercial environment, my predecessor established the Post Office Network Business Development Group last year, the remit of which was to examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network. Mr. Bobby Kerr was appointed as the independent chairman of the group and he brought a depth of knowledge and experience in identifying and developing business opportunities for the post office network.
The final report of the group, which was published in January of this year, details 23 recommendations with network renewal, a basic payment account and motor tax being the three key actions. The final report recommended that An Post should, following appropriate consultation with postmasters and others, review and amend the five-year strategy for the post office network.
A number of working groups have been established, including a network renewal implementation group, which is being independently chaired by Mr. Bobby Kerr. This group is examining the number and spatial distribution of branches, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and contracts and training and qualifications for post office employees. An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union, IPU, are members of the group, which is of fundamental importance to the long-term future of the network. Good progress has been made in a collective environment and that work remains ongoing in the group.
The programme for Government commits to acting on all of the recommendations of the final report, including supporting the implementation of a basic payment account and enabling the payment of motor tax through the post office network. My officials have been actively engaging with other Departments and agencies on these issues over the past six months. Responsibility for implementation of the recommendations in the final report will shortly transfer to the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys. A number of staff with expertise will transfer with it.