Vol. 577 No. 4
67 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to his Department's consideration of the recovery plan from An Post which he ordered the company on 4 September 2003 to produce; when he expects agreement on the plan; if he has received an indication of the extent of the job cuts being sought by the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31256/03]
My Department received an outline recovery strategy from An Post in September this year. I met the board of An Post in October and expressed the importance of the recovery strategy in terms of specified savings and timescales for delivery.
The details of the strategy are being discussed with unions and finalisation of the strategy is contingent on the outcome of these negotiations. Provisional numbers in terms of staffing reductions amounting to approximately 1,500 are envisaged by the company at this stage. I expect that the strategy, once finalised, will be brought to Government. However, the board, management and staff of the company are ultimately responsible for the implementation and delivery of the strategy.
