Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
149. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to develop the post office network as a one stop shop for all offline State transactional services, including motor tax payments, driver licences, public services card renewals, identity verification and administration for Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21865/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government recognises that a modernised post office network will provide a better range of financial services and e-commerce services for citizens and enterprise, as part of our commitment to a sustainable nationwide post office network. An Post's social value has been particularly evident during the current Covid crisis. In November 2019, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection announced retention by An Post of the contract for cash pay-out of social protection payments over the counter at Post Offices for the next two years at least and it also includes the option for renewal for a further four years, after the initial two-year period.
The Deputy is familiar with the report of the interdepartmental group, established in October 2018 to consider options around the provision of ‘offline’ Government services. The group found that, rather than offline consumers experiencing an increasingly inconsistent approach to service provision, consideration should be given, in the context of the new National Digital Strategy and Our Public Service 2020, to the adoption of a whole of Government approach to offline service provision, similar to the adoption of Digital Government. It was concluded that such an initiative should be driven centrally. A whole of Government perspective allows the development of a set of principles outlining quality customer service for offline consumers, which could include bundling service delivery using existing nationwide customer facing networks. Such an approach would provide a consistent and high quality experience to offline consumers and provide locations to help offline customers transition to digital Government. The future provision of transactional services such as those listed by the Deputy will be considered within that framework.
Government acknowledges that An Post has the potential for further development as a provider of other valuable community focused services and will work with the company to develop such services as required.
