Vol. 399 No. 4
15 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications if there is any evidence of a deterioration of service either through the closure of sub-post offices or by any other means; whether the sanction of his Department is required prior to the closure of sub-post offices; if any discussions have taken place between An Post and his Department regarding the level and standard of postal services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The operation of post offices and the postal arrangements relating to particular areas are operational matters coming within the day to day activities of An Post. The closure of sub-post offices does not require the sanction of my Department.
There have been discussions between An Post and my Department regarding the quality of postal services. I have no evidence of a deterioration in the service provided by the company. On the other hand, I am glad to be able to inform the House that An Post is giving a high priority to the quality of its mail delivery service and that the position is being monitored by independent surveys carried out for the company. The results of the latest quarterly survey, which have been published, show that 90 per cent of correctly addressed letters are being delivered on the next working day.
