Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 11 June 2014

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014: Committee Stage

2:05 pm

Photo of Ray ButlerRay Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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As someone with a background in the retail sector, I understand the point the Minister makes about the need to issue tenders for contracts and the possibility that challenges would be made under European legislation. That An Post will have the contract for the next six years is welcome. Could the legislation include a requirement on the minimum number of pay-out points to be provided under the contract? Such a provision would narrow the field and, I am sure, position An Post at the head of the group of contenders given the number of pay-out points available to it.

Post offices in rural areas must be supported by local people, which means they must use them for more than receiving payments. They should, for example, buy goods in shops where the post office is located. Having a post office and shop in one location does not guarantee that the shop will remain open. People should be mindful of the need to support the shops in which post offices are located.

With the abolition of town councils, post offices should play a much greater role in communities, for example, in terms of parking fines. An Post has a major part to play in the renewal of local authorities.