Vol. 462 No. 5
27 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he has satisfied himself with the current level of postal delivery services; the proposals, if any, he has for the introduction of operational changes to further improve the quality of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4994/96]
Normally matters such as the level and quality of postal deliveries fall within the day-to-day administration of An Post. However because of the widespread concern that has existed from time to time about the quality of the delivery service I obtained reports from the company about the matter. I dealt extensively with the issues that affected the level and quality of postal delivery services in my replies to Deputies on 17 May and 29 March 1995 and outlined the measures put in place to improve the quality of the delivery service.
In June 1995 I requested the company to carry out a strategic review of its business operations. The company appointed Price Waterhouse to carry out that review. This report contains numerous recommendations on matters concerning quality of service and effective management of its operations. The board has accepted the report as a framework for future development of the company's services.
The most recent report on letter delivery services shows a relatively satisfactory performance of well over 90 per cent next day delivery for all services except Dublin to the provinces which was affected by additional Christmas mail volumes.
The questions of further operational changes and improved quality of service continue to be a day-to-day matter for the company. I am satisfied that the company now has a clear mandate and understanding of the need to address any problems arising and that it continues to provide a quality service to the public.
Will the Minister accept that the postal delivery service from Dublin to the provinces is most unsatisfactory and that a one day service is the exception rather than the rule? Will he give the percentage of householders where the traditional morning post is delivered sometimes very late in the afternoon? Does he consider the present service is satisfactory?
I agree the level and quality of service from Dublin to the provinces is unsatisfactory. There is a satisfaction rating of approximately 90 per cent with the service in other areas whereas the rate of satisfaction with the service from Dublin to the provinces is 76 per cent. Obviously there is much room for improvement and I have communicated that view to An Post. The last analysis took place immediately after the Christmas rush and An Post has said that the huge volumes of mail at that time contributed to the problem. I have requested An Post to commit itself to improving performances in the months ahead.
Will the Minister require An Post to make a progress report to him indicating the measures it is taking to make the service more efficient? If such measures are not taken recipients of the service will continue to be dissatisfied. Is the Minister adopting a handson approach in that regard?
The activities of An Post are the subject of ongoing monitoring in my Department. I am having ongoing discussions with the chairman of An Post and am satisfied the company has made significant progress. There is, however, still room for improvement and the will and means exist by which improvement may be brought about. The position will continue to be monitored with a view to getting the best possible results for consumers.
Given that the Price Waterhouse report is a framework for the future development of An Post and given that An Post is a public company, will the Minister make public the report?
While the report was instigated at my request, it was commissioned by An Post. I have studied the report and would have no objection to publication of the vast bulk of it, but that is a matter for the board of An Post.
Will the Minister request the board to publish the report given that it is of substantial public interest? Will the Minister comment on the redundancies being considered at departmental and board level in response to an EU Directive in that regard?
That is the subject of a separate question. No specific discussions are taking place between representatives of An Post and my Department in respect of redundancies. There are ongoing discussions about developments at European level and how they will affect An Post, with particular reference to the number of European directives which I have no doubt will become the subject of intense and heated discussion at European level, particularly in the next six months.
The commitments given by the Minister in his reply of 17 May last on improvements in the postal delivery service have not been fulfilled. He said on that occasion that the new arrangements he had discussed with the chairman of An Post would be put into operation within the next few weeks but, as we have heard from the Minister today, the improvement objectives have not been achieved. Will the Minister confirm if the group monitoring the position is reporting to him on a weekly basis and if he is up to date on the question of improvement in the postal delivery service?
The discussion in the House on 17 May and my response to the questions raised dealt principally with the position in Dublin which was unsatisfactory at that time.
The Minister said it extended to all areas.
The problems related to Dublin in particular. Serious difficulties had arisen.
The Minister said the improvements would extend to all areas over the coming weeks.
The question referred to specific areas in Dublin.
Is the Minister confining the improvements to Dublin?
The Deputy will be aware that those difficulties have been successfully addressed. There is still a problem in the postal delivery service from Dublin to the provinces. I have asked An Post to give a commitment to ensure an improvement in that delivery service.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department's role in this matter relates to overseeing general policy. It does not involve issuing instructions or directives on the company's day to day activity. That is a matter for management to deal with in consultation with its board members.
The question of 17 May related to serious postal delays experienced by residents and businesses and the action, if any, it was proposed to take. The question referred to the country, not to Dublin.
Replies were given in that month to a number of oral and written questions tabled on that matter. At that time there was general concern about the abysmal postal service in Dublin.
The Minister said it related to Dublin. That was not the case, it related to the whole country. The Minister gave replies which were not exactly correct.
There was a poor postal service in Dublin at that time. Many of the problems encountered by residents in Dublin have been addressed. I would welcome a similar improvement in the postal service to the provinces. I note the Deputy's concerns and I will communicate them to An Post.
Will the Minister report back to us on them?
Yes.
The fact that we have to draw the Minister's attention to this matter does not say much for the monitoring procedures in place.
