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Post Office Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (247, 248, 249, 259, 277, 283, 292, 293, 331)

Carol Nolan

Question:

247. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is in a position to provide clarity on the timing and intention of Government regarding publishing a plan on additional services at post offices including the greater use of post offices for offline Government services, which was carried out in 2022 but to date remains unpublished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19536/22]

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Carol Nolan

Question:

248. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is in a position to provide clarity on the timing and intention of Government regarding publishing a plan on additional services at post offices, including the greater use of post offices for offline Government services which was carried out in 2021 but to date remains unpublished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19537/22]

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Carol Nolan

Question:

249. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will respond to calls from an organisation (details supplied) on the need for clarity on Government plans to ensure support for postmasters given the current commercial challenges facing An Post and that these will not be unfairly passed on to postmasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19538/22]

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Seán Haughey

Question:

259. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the inter-Departmental group which was established to examine the feasibility of additional Government services being provided through An Post and the post office network will be finalised and brought to Government for a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19682/22]

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Ivana Bacik

Question:

277. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Post Office Network is due to report; his views on expanding the role of the post office network for example to enable postmasters to witness signatures for passport forms or other official documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20121/22]

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Joe O'Brien

Question:

283. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the planned report from the interdepartmental group on potential increased use of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20209/22]

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Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

292. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the interdepartmental report on services run by An Post will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20387/22]

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Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

293. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when clarification will be given to postmasters regarding services to be run through An Post offices in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20388/22]

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Neale Richmond

Question:

331. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will explore the introduction of a five-year plan for the Post Office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21251/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 248, 249, 259, 277, 283, 292, 293 and 331 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. In addition, Irish post offices are typically independent businesses that are run by postmasters. 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. The company fully understands the Government position and a sustainable, viable and customer-focused post office network is a key strategic priority for the company.

The transformation programme that was agreed with the Irish Postmasters Union in 2018, was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. An Post introduced the pandemic recovery fund in 2021, which was worth €8.5 million over an 18-month period. This commenced on 1 July 2021 and will continue until the end of this year. The Government recognises the importance of the high value and high quality post office network to our citizens right across the country, as well as the central and trusted role of postmasters in our communities. An Post, including through the post office network provides important services to its customers and it is contracted to provide key Government services to citizens.

The work of the interdepartmental group, which was established to consider the feasibility of the new Government services, is being considered at present and the report of the Group will be brought to Government when all options have been considered. While decisions relating to the network are matters for the board and the management of the company, they continue to engage with the IPU on operational matters. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Post continues to play a vital role.

Officials in my Department have ongoing engagement with the company, with other Departments and with key stakeholders to explore all options, in line with this commitment.

Question No. 248 answered with Question No. 247.
Question No. 249 answered with Question No. 247.
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