Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 1

Written Answers. - Post Office Network.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

32 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the work and progress made and reports furnished by the interdepartmental working group established to oversee progress in the development of the post office network. [21715/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Following the Government decision on 27 May last that the post office network should be further developed as a one-stop-shop through the provision of an enhanced range of facilities in post offices, I established an interdepartmental working group, representative of the Department of the Taoiseach together with the Department of the Environment and Local Government and of my own Department, to explore all possibilities in this regard with a view to speedy implementation of initiatives wherever feasible. Possibilities being examined by the group include, inter alia, the payment of ESB bills, motor taxation renewal demands and publicly-available Internet access.

As a first step in the direction of enhancing the range of services available in post offices, last July An Post and Aer Lingus rolled out a facility whereby cash payments for that airline's tickets may be made at post offices.

I have been updated regularly on the work of the interdepartmental group. The Deputy will appreciate that, as its remit covers a wide area involving a number of Government Departments and other bodies, it is important to undertake consultation, where necessary, with all concerned parties. As its work is of an ongoing nature, the working group will continue to report to me on a regular basis as new possibilities for enhancing the range of services available in post offices are identified and further specific initiatives are taken.