Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021
46. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the input his Department has had in the framing of the National Development Plan 2018-2027 to ensure the viability of the rural post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38591/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have been involved in a strategic dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to agree a new five-year capital allocation and a 10-year capital ceiling to 2030 for the revised National Development Plan which will enable the Department to deliver its vision of a climate neutral, sustainable and digitally connected Ireland.
In relation to the post office network, An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. It has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including those in relation to the size, distribution and future of the network are operational matters for the Board and management of the company.
While it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the Government, we remain fully committed to a sustainable post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure in both rural and urban areas.
A Capital Expenditure programme was approved at Ministerial level which, as part of the Company’s commitment to the sustainability of its network, is designed to develop the newer elements of An Post’s Financial Services business and mitigate declining core mail volumes and revenues on the Retail side of the business. €30m in State funding was also made available to the company, of which €15 million is to support the renewal of the post office network and a further €15 million towards the continued fulfilment of a five-day per week mail delivery service.
