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Post Office Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Questions (197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202)

Marian Harkin

Question:

197. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the work of the interdepartmental group, which was established to, inter alia, examine the feasibility of additional Government services being provided through An Post and the post office network will published; if all options will be considered fully to give effect to the Government’s commitment to ensuring a sustainable and viable post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15945/22]

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Marian Harkin

Question:

198. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected timeframe for the publication of the report of the interdepartmental group, which was established to, inter alia, examine the feasibility of additional Government services being provided through to An Post and the post office network; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15946/22]

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Marian Harkin

Question:

199. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his strategy to support the rural post office network; the additional Departmental services that could be provided via the network; when offline services for post offices will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15947/22]

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Marian Harkin

Question:

200. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to ensure a sustainable post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure in rural and urban areas; the types of services that An Post can deliver into the future in order that it can continue to make a significant contribution to communities across Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15948/22]

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Marian Harkin

Question:

201. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions his Department is taking to support and strengthen the rural post office network and the wider post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15949/22]

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Marian Harkin

Question:

202. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he has taken to fulfil the clear commitment on post offices as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15950/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Question Nos. 197 to 202, inclusive, together.

An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially and it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the taxpayer. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including those in relation to the size, distribution and future of the network are operational matters for the Board and management of the company.

The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. A long-term low interest loan of €30m was provided to the company in December 2017, of which €15m was to support and protect the renewal of the post office network.

An Post provides important services to its customers and key Government services to citizens; including through commercial contracts with the Department of Social Protection and the National Treasury Management Agency. Government is committed to working with An Post and postmasters to ensure that the network continues to play a strong role in delivering State services.

However, it is essential that Government Departments and agencies operate in line with best practice in relation to the procurement of Government services and that public contracts are subject to a competitive and open tendering process.

The work of the Inter-Departmental Group is being considered by Minister Naughton and its report will be submitted to Government in due course.

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