Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004
112 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his policy in relation to post offices in rural areas; and if he has satisfied himself with agency services replacing post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10962/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to a viable and sustainable 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 its PostPoint service and a contract with the AIB under which the banks' 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. The key requirement, that a service is provided locally, is being met by the new agency arrangement.
