Vol. 574 No. 1
162 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the universal service obligation in the postal service especially with regard to the re-designation of post offices, for example, at Cahir, County Tipperary. [26295/03]
The universal service obligations for the postal service are set in the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations 2002. The regulations apply only to letters and parcels and not to post office services.
With regard to the maintenance of the post office network, 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.
Major initiatives under way include the restructuring of the post office network which is aimed at securing the company's financial position. As part of this programme, Cahir, County Tipperary, will be converted to contract status. The quality and range of services available to the community will not be affected. These re-designations of company to sub-post offices are also the subject of agreements with the trade unions.
