Currently, there is a whole-of-Government review under the auspices of the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy exploring the scope for providing additional public services and securing new lines of business through the post office network.
At the October meeting of the Cabinet Committee, approval was conveyed for the establishment of a business development group to examine potential opportunities for both government and commercial sectors. This group will have an independent Chairperson and it is envisaged that it will comprise representatives from my Department, An Post and the Irish Postmasters’ Union. It is intended that the Minister of State for Rural Economic Development will also be represented on the group. Arrangements for the formation of the group are currently being put in place. It is envisaged that the group will provide an interim report by the end of the first quarter of 2015 with a final report envisaged by mid 2015.