The Government is committed to a viable and widespread rural post office network. However, consideration must be given to the current climate in which An Post is operating, bearing in mind the serious operational losses the company has suffered and the measures which need to be implemented if the company is to reverse its current situation. All stakeholders recognise that An Post and its network must adapt to its customer needs within the financial constraints in which it now finds itself.
An Post has secured additional business for the network, including bill pay facilities for the ESB, phone top-ups through their PostPoint service and a contract with the AIB under which the bank's customers can access their accounts through the network. Parallel with these developments, under an agreement between the Irish Postmasters Union and An Post, the conversion of sub-post offices from a fixed contract to an agency basis, whereby payments are linked to transactions, is being implemented on a voluntary basis.
Where vacancies arise in the normal course of events, An Post advertises the post at least twice and actively canvasses for suitable persons to fill the vacant positions. It is only when a suitable candidate for a vacancy cannot be found or where there are no applicants, that a post office is closed. Such closures are regarded as temporary pending an application from a suitable person.
Since taking office, I have met the current and previous chairperson and the senior management of the company. I have been briefed on key issues, including the future of the post office network, by An Post.
