Written Answers Nos. 288-309
288. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total value of allocations over the past ten years under the Dormant Accounts Fund that have yet to be drawn down with a breakdown by the year the allocation decisions were made. [40984/16]
View answerThe Dormant Accounts Act 2001, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Acts 2005-2012, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings.
The legislation governing the Dormant Accounts Fund provides for the disbursement of monies for the purposes of programmes or projects to assist:
- the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged;
- the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged, or
- persons with a disability.
My Department has an oversight role in the relation to the allocation and disbursement of Dormant Accounts funding.
Since its establishment in April 2003 to the end of September 2016, €321.39 million , net of decommitments, have been approved for disbursement from the Fund for eligible projects. A total of €264.97 million has been paid out to projects over the same period. T he balance of funds to be disbursed on foot of approvals is €56.42 million.
Full summary details of the Dormant Accounts Fund on a year-by-year basis are available on my Department’s website at: http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/app/uploads/2016/10/dormantaccounts-30-09-2016.pdf .
289. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad é líon na bhfolúntas foirne sa Roinn nach bhfuil líonta go fóill; cad iad na rannóga lena mbaineann siad; cad iad na céimeanna nó na gráid atá i gceist; cén uair ar éirigh na folúntais seo; cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh maidir leis an tríú príomhoifigeach a cheapadh i rannóg na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na nOileán; cén uair a líonfar na folúntais seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40566/16]
View answerDírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Uimh 20 uaidh den 29 Samhain 2016.
Mar a chuir mé in iúl don Teachta, tá trí phost sonrach faoi chaibidil faoi láthair i Ránnán Gaeltachta mo Roinne. Is mar a leanas atá an staid reatha maidir leis na poist sin:
Tá an post mar Stiúrthóir na Gaeilge líonta anois.
Tá painéal curtha ar bun trí chomórtas inmheánach óna ndéanfar ceapacháin mar is cuí ag leibhéal Phríómhoifigigh. Táthar ag súil leis go líonfar post mar Phríomhoifigeach i Rannán na Gaeltachta ón bpainéal sin go luath.
Tá mo Roinn ag breathnú go fóill ar an fhéidearthacht a bhaineann le hOifigeach Feidhmiúcháin a thrasaistriú chuig an oifig sna Doirí Beaga.
Níl aon chinneadh déanta go dtí seo maidir leis an tríú Príomhoifigeach a cheapadh do Rannán na Gaeltachta.
290. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount sanctioned to date in 2016 under the CLÁR programme under each of the headings, safety measures for schools and community and sports facilities, playgrounds and multi-use games areas and local access roads, broken down by county; the amount expended on these projects to date in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40567/16]
View answerThe CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas which have suffered the greatest levels of population decline. I launched the 2016 CLÁR programme on 6th October 2016, with a focus on three separate measures:
- Measure 1: Safety Measures for Schools and Community/Sports Facilities
- Measure 2: Playgrounds and Multi-Use Games Areas
- Measure 3: Local Access Roads.
All Local Authorities which have designated CLÁR areas were invited to apply; this includes all counties except Dublin, Wexford and Kildare.
On 1st December, I announced the allocation of €8.24 million to 651 successful projects under the programme. Details of the allocations by county under the three measures are provided on the table below. All of the projects were approved on the basis that they were ready to commence immediately. Given the number of projects involved and the on-going activity taking place, it is not possible, at this stage, to provide information on the amount of money spent on the projects to date in 2016.
2016 CLÁR: Amounts Approved by County
|
|
Measure 1 |
Measure 2 |
Measure 3 |
Total |
|
County |
|
|
|
|
|
Carlow |
€80,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€80,000 |
|
Cavan |
€274,000 |
€224,184 |
€0 |
€498,184 |
|
Clare |
€284,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€284,000 |
|
Cork |
€349,900 |
€72,722 |
€139,600 |
€562,222 |
|
Donegal |
€351,500 |
€62,476 |
€464,656 |
€878,632 |
|
Galway |
€368,000 |
€24,000 |
€0 |
€392,000 |
|
Kerry |
€351,500 |
€226,000 |
€167,464 |
€744,964 |
|
Kilkenny |
€223,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€223,000 |
|
Laois |
€130,500 |
€4,000 |
€14,400 |
€148,900 |
|
Leitrim |
€178,000 |
€56,800 |
€40,000 |
€274,800 |
|
Limerick |
€235,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€235,000 |
|
Longford |
€223,000 |
€14,560 |
€0 |
€237,560 |
|
Louth |
€34,000 |
€123,520 |
€16,000 |
€173,520 |
|
Mayo |
€295,500 |
€656,049 |
€25,320 |
€976,869 |
|
Meath |
€127,600 |
€0 |
€0 |
€127,600 |
|
Monaghan |
€205,000 |
€86,640 |
€64,800 |
€356,440 |
|
Offaly |
€84,250 |
€1,548 |
€37,600 |
€123,398 |
|
Roscommon |
€366,500 |
€39,997 |
€0 |
€406,497 |
|
Sligo |
€239,000 |
€82,000 |
€277,400 |
€598,400 |
|
Tipperary |
€371,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€371,000 |
|
Waterford |
€194,000 |
€30,000 |
€37,600 |
€261,600 |
|
Westmeath |
€147,000 |
€0 |
€67,280 |
€214,280 |
|
Wicklow |
€22,000 |
€48,000 |
€0 |
€70,000 |
|
Total |
€5,134,250 |
€1,752,496 |
€1,352,120 |
€8,238,866 |
291. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an mbeidh na huastáillí a bhaineann leis na seirbhísí farantóireachta eile ar fud an chósta mar chuid den socrú eatramhach maidir leis an tseirbhís go hÁrainn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40570/16]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, níl aon chonradh ag mo Roinn faoi láthair chun seirbhís farantóireachta a chur ar fáil d’Árainn. Tá oifigigh mo Roinne ag cuidiú an oiread agus is féidir le Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe agus leis an bhfarantóir atá ann faoi láthair chun teacht ar chomhaontú maidir le cur i bhfeidhm fodhlithe ag Cé Chill Rónáin.
Beidh an conradh atá ag mo Roinn don seirbhís farantóireachta d’Inis Meáin agus Inis Oírr ag teacht chun deireadh ar 31 Deireadh Fómhair 2017 agus beifear i dteagmháil le geallsealbhóirí, pobal Árann san áireamh, faoi chonradh nua go luath i 2017.
292. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she plans to declare the copy of the surrender letter signed by P. H. Pearse to be a cultural object under section 49(2) of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997; if not, the reason for not doing so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40575/16]
View answerI am currently examining the position regarding the surrender letter referred to by the Deputy.
293. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil iarratas déanta chuig Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe dul ar aghaidh leis an bpleanáil ar an gcead chéim eile de Chéibh an Chalaidh Mhóir in Inis Meáin. [40596/16]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, bhí cruinniú agam le hionadaithe poiblí an cheantair, le hoifigigh ó mo Roinn féin agus ó Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe i láthair, ag ar pléadh forbairt ar Chéim III de Ché an Chalaidh Mhóir.
Ar ndóigh, tagann cúram na cé seo faoi Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe agus, mar is eol don Teachta, níl na hacmhainní ar fáil don Chomhairle Céim III den fhorbairt a thosú. Mar is eol don Teachta chomh maith, is é forbairt Ché Inis Oírr an tosaíocht atá ag mo Roinnse maidir le forbairt chéanna Oileáin Árainn agus níl na hacmhainní aici, i láthair na huaire, tabhairt faoi fhorbairt ar Chéim III de Ché an Chaladh Mhóir.
294. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an soláthróidh sí liosta de na hiarratais reatha atá a bpróiseáil ag a Roinn faoi láthair ó Choistí Forbartha agus ó Chomharchumainn i nGealtacht Dhún na nGall mar aon le sonraí na hoibre agus meastacháin ar chostas na hoibre; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40604/16]
View answerTá sonraí sa table leis seo maidir leis na hiarratais reatha atá á bpróiseáil ag mo Roinnse faoi láthair ó Choistí Forbartha agus ó Chomharchumainn i nGaeltacht Dhún na nGall. Tuigtear don Teachta nach gnáth-nós é eolas maidir leis an gcostas measta a thabhairt de bharr go bhféadadh sé a bheith íogair ó thaobh cúrsaí soláthar poiblí de.
|
Eagraíocht |
Sonraí na hOibre |
|
Halla Naomh Fhionáin - Coiste Forbartha An Fhál Charraigh |
Athchóiriú ar an Ionad Pobail |
|
Áislann Chill Chártha |
An halla a uasghrádú |
|
Coiste Forbartha Chnoc Fola |
An carrchlós a athchóiriú |
|
Coiste Forbartha Phort Arthur |
Cosán siúil a fhorbairt |
|
Ionad Pobail Dhún Lúiche |
Athchóiriú ar an Ionad Pobail |
295. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total use her Department has made of the Government jet since coming into office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40675/16]
View answer296. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total use her Department has made of the Government jet per annum from March 2011 to February 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40692/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.
The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) provides the Government and the President with an independent, flexible and effective air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations. Details of use of the MATS by Ministers are published by the Depar tment of Defence at www.defence.ie.
Since the establishment of my Department in 2011, use has been made of the MATS on five occasions, details of which are set out in the following table:
|
Date |
Destination |
Event |
|
27 November 2015 |
London |
British-Irish Council Ministerial Summit (accompanying An Taoiseach) |
|
3 - 4 August 2014 |
Glasgow & Belfast |
World War 1 Commemoration events |
|
15 November 2013 |
Jersey |
British-Irish Council Summit (accompanying An Taoiseach) |
|
16 - 17 May 2013 |
Brussels |
EYCS Council Meeting during Irish Presidency of the European Council (shared with two other Ministers) |
|
27 - 28 February 2013 |
Brussels |
EYCS Council Meeting during Irish Presidency of the European Council (shared with two other Ministers) |
297. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the gender balances on each of the State boards under her remit. [40721/16]
View answerDetails regarding membership of relevant State Boards funded from my Department's Vote are outlined in the table below. It should be noted that the membership of a number of boards includes nominated or ex officio members in respect of which I have no input as Minister. In the case of the North South Implementation Bodies, members are appointed on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction.
|
State Agency |
% Male Membership |
% Female Membership |
|
Arts Council |
46% |
54% |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
78% |
22% |
|
Crawford Gallery |
40% |
60% |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
50% |
50% |
|
Heritage Council |
50% |
50% |
|
Irish Film Board |
50% |
50% |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
68% |
32% |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
50% |
50% |
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
50% |
50% |
|
National Concert Hall |
56% |
44% |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
37% |
63% |
|
National Library of Ireland |
50% |
50% |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
37% |
63% |
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
57% |
43% |
|
Western Development Commission |
62% |
38% |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
67% |
33% |
298. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will provide a breakdown between current and capital expenditure allocated for all State agencies and bodies under her aegis in 2016 and 2017, including the Western Development Commission, Foras na Gaeilge, An Coimisinéir Teanga and Údarás na Gaeltachta, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40791/16]
View answerThe Revised Estimates for 2017 (REV 2017), including the allocations for 2016 and 2017, were published today by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and are available on that Department’s website at: http://www.per.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-and-reform-publishes-revised-estimates-for-public-services-2017/.
299. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total number of additional staff to be taken on in her Department and in all individual State agencies and bodies under her aegis in 2017 in tabular form; the total cost of hiring additional staff in her Department and in each individual State agency and body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40792/16]
View answerI am advised that staffing levels for 2017 are not set either in respect of my Department or for the bodies operating under its aegis. Instead, staffing levels in my Department and in the agencies under my remit are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing, as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
300. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total current and capital expenditure allocated to the town and village renewal scheme in 2015, 2016 and the amount allocated in 2017, in tabular form; the total amount of funds expended to each year to date in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40793/16]
View answerIn September 2015, the previous Government announced plans for a fund of €30 million over a six year period for a Town and Village Renewal scheme. While no expenditure was incurred on the scheme in 2015, the current Government included a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to support the development of rural towns and villages as part of its drive to revitalise rural Ireland.
On 9 August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with an allocation of €10 million in capital funding for 2016. This represented a significant increase on the €4 million baseline in my Department’s Vote for 2016. A sum of €380,000 was made available to each of the 26 counties under this initial phase of the scheme. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8 proposals to my Department by the end of September for approval.
Following an assessment of the proposals received, on 4th November I announced details of 172 towns and villages which were approved for funding under this year’s scheme. The total amount allocated through these approvals is €9.865 million.
I have secured increased funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme as part of Budget 2017.
301. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total amount of current and capital expenditure allocated to initiatives under the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas in 2016 and 2017, in tabular form; the total amount of funds expended to each year to date in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40795/16]
View answerThe Report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) was published in April 2014 and contained 34 recommendations to support the development of rural Ireland. Some of these recommendations had a direct associated programme cost, while others related to policy initiatives that could be taken to support rural economic development.
The priority recommendation made by CEDRA was the need for a co-ordinated approach to rural development across Government. The assignment of responsibility to my Department for regional and rural development addresses this key recommendation. The forthcoming Action Plan for Rural Development will, furthermore, provide an overarching structure for the implementation of initiatives across Government which will benefit rural Ireland.
Other policy measures across Government that support the recommendations in the CEDRA report include the creation of the Local Enterprise Office network as a “first-stop-shop” for micro-enterprises, the preparation for the rollout of high speed broadband, and the provision of loans for small businesses through the Microfinance Loan Fund.
Programmes under my own Department’s remit that can be directly related to the recommendations in the CEDRA report include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) pilot initiative in 2015, and the 2016 REDZ programme.
In 2016, I approved funding of €9.865 million to 172 projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I also approved funding of €5.3 million for 41 REDZ projects. All funding for these schemes is by way of capital expenditure.
Given the number of projects involved and the on-going activity taking place, it is not possible, at this stage, to provide information on the amount of money spent on the projects to date in 2016. The final expenditure figure for 2016 will be published in 2017 as part of my Department’s Appropriation Account.
I have also secured increased funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme as part of Budget 2017. I will review funding for the REDZ scheme for 2017 following an evaluation of the current programme.
302. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total amount of capital expenditure expended in 2016 and allocated in 2017 on Údarás na Gaeltachta, in tabular form, in view of the programme for Government commitment in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40798/16]
View answerThe following table provides a breakdown of capital expenditure allocated to Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2016 and 2017. I can confirm to the Deputy that all capital funding allocated to Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2016 has now been paid.
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
2016 Capital €000 |
2017 Capital €000 |
|
C8 – Capital (Baseline) |
5,687 |
6,687 |
|
Revised Estimates (REV) |
1,000 |
- |
|
Additional Funding |
2,400 |
- |
|
Total |
9,087 |
6,687 |
303. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress as provided under the programme for Government on the development of a new Atlantic economic corridor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40799/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government commits to delivering balanced national development, particularly in the west of Ireland. One way in which this might be achieved is through the development of an Atlantic Economic Corridor to match other areas of the country in attracting Irish and multinational investment and in growing jobs.
In order to progress this commitment, I convened a meeting of key Government Departments and agencies at the end of September to consider a proposal for the development of an Atlantic Economic Corridor, which was published earlier this year by the Chambers of Commerce of Limerick, Shannon, Ennis, Galway, Roscommon, Mayo, Sligo, and the American Chamber of Commerce. There was broad support amongst the public bodies at this meeting for the concept.
I subsequently asked my officials and the public bodies to meet with representatives from the Western Chambers group and other key stakeholders associated with the proposal. A meeting of this wider group was held in Galway in October. At that meeting, the Chambers group explained their proposal in greater detail and outlined some areas where progress is already being made.
I also recently met separately with representatives from the Chambers group and I intend to convene a further meeting of the wider group early in the New Year to map out the next steps in advancing the proposal for an Atlantic Economic Corridor.
304. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total CLÁR programme funding over each of the years 2010 to 2016 and the amount allocated in 2017, in tabular form. [40808/16]
View answer305. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will provide a breakdown for the CLÁR programme in 2017, by county, in tabular form; the projects that have been selected for funding in each county; and the process to complete selection if this process is not complete. [40809/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos 304 and 305 together.
Table 1 provides details of the total funding provided through the CLÁR programme each year from 2010 to 2015. It should be noted that the CLÁR programme was closed to new applications from 2010 and all funding provided over the period 2010-2015 was in respect of prior commitments.
In 2016, I secured additional funding for CLÁR and re-launched the programme on 6 October 2016, with a focus on three separate measures:
- Measure 1: Safety Measures for Schools and Community/Sports Facilities
- Measure 2: Playgrounds and Multi-Use Games Areas
- Measure 3: Local Access Roads.
On 1 December, I announced the allocation of € 8. 29 3 million to 651 successful projects under the programme. A further €100,000 was allocated to my Vote this year in respect of prior-year commitments under CLÁR. The final expenditure figure for 2016 will be published in 2017 as part of my Department’s Appropriation Account.
I have secured an allocation of €5 million for CLÁR for 2017 as part of Budget 2017. Decisions on the particular measures to be implemented and the basis for the allocation of this funding will be made in the New Year.
Table 1 – Funding provided under the CLÁR programme 2010-2015
|
Year |
Funding provided (€) |
|
2010 |
5,721 ,000 |
|
2011 |
348 ,000 |
|
2012 |
91 ,000 |
|
2013 |
105,000 |
|
2014 |
49,253 |
|
2015 |
0 |
306. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress under the programme for Government commitment to act swiftly on the recommendations of the post office business development group by supporting the introduction and rollout, by An Post, of an e-payment account in 2016; and when such proposals will be published. [40810/16]
View answerThe final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group, which was published in January of this year, made a number of recommendations to support the future sustainability of post offices, including a recommendation around the development by An Post of a basic payment account.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting the introduction and rollout by An Post of an ePayment account to enhance post office activity in financial services and increase footfall.
My Department had been examining the potential for An Post to offer such an account. However, An Post addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on 9th November and indicated that the company intends to introduce a new payment account in the first quarter of 2017. I understand that this account will have all the features of a normal bank account, apart from a cheque book and overdraft facilities. I have asked my officials to request further details from An Post on how this account will operate.
307. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress under the programme for Government commitment of a new model of community banking for An Post and the League of Credit Unions and consideration of the Kiwibank model. [40811/16]
View answer308. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress under the programme for Government commitment to thoroughly investigate the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public banks that operate within well defined regions. [40812/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 308 together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government envisages that An Post, the League of Credit Unions and other interested stakeholders will be asked to investigate and propose a new model of “community banking”, such as the Kiwibank model in New Zealand, which could be delivered through the Post Office network. The Programme for a Partnership Government also includes a commitment to investigate the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public banks that operate within well-defined regions.
The role of my Department in this matter will be to work with other Departments and stakeholders to examine the feasibility of these models.
Senior officials from my Department recently met with their counterparts in the Department of Finance and have agreed to develop a work programme to examine the potential of the Sparkassen model and other models of local public banking, as referenced in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The officials will meet again in January and hope to be in a position to conclude their work around the middle of next year. As part of their work, they will engage with relevant stakeholders, as required.
309. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress under the programme for Government to establish the feasibility of offering motor tax services and other State services in post offices, to establish a working group to identify the potential for local post office to act as hubs to facilitate other services, such as health and transport and a one-stop shop for Government services and to support the establishment of a post office network renewal process to build on An Post's existing five-year strategy for the network. [40813/16]
View answerThe final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group, which was published in January of this year, made a number of recommendations to support the future sustainability of post offices. These include recommendations in relation to the renewal of the post office network, the provision of motor tax services, and the creation of hubs around which local economic and social activity could revolve. The report also recommended that An Post should, following appropriate consultation with postmasters and others, review and amend the five-year strategy for the post office network.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to acting on the recommendations in the report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group. A number of Working Groups have been established to progress the recommendations, including through the establishment of a Network Renewal Implementation Group, which is being independently chaired by Mr Bobby Kerr. This Group is examining the number and spatial distribution of post offices, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and contracts, and training and qualifications for post office employees. I anticipate that this work will conclude shortly.
I separately established the Post Office Hub Working Group to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. I chaired a number of meetings of this Group, which has now concluded its deliberations and is currently finalising its report.
My officials have also been examining the potential for the post offices to deliver other services, including options for the renewal of motor tax. A number of potential options for this service have been identified and proposals are currently being finalised in consultation with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
