Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 2

Written Answers. - Community Development.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

57 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the role and involvement of his Department in the interdepartmental group established by the Government to access funding options for the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19751/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

A review of the sub-post office network by industrial relations consultant Mr. Phil Flynn was published in April 2001. Following the publication of the report, the Minister for Public Enterprise set up an interdepartmental group to prepare a blueprint for future funding of the network.

My Department accepted an invitation to be part of this group and is fully engaged in the ongoing work. The purpose of this group is to review all options regarding the future financing of the post office network on a sustainable long- term basis, and to engage in a consultative process with the relevant parties.

I understand their recommendations will feed back into proposals which the Minister for Public Enterprise will bring to Cabinet. The group expects to conclude it's work and submit findings by the end of the summer.