Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Finance, who is unavailable to respond to the Topical Issues raised by Deputy Áine Collins. The Deputy's suggestion may arise from the recent publication by the Minister of the report on the standard bank account pilot project. That report noted that the view of the stakeholders was that one of the key elements that will have to be part of the preparations for a successful national roll-out of a standard bank account is greater involvement by An Post and the credit unions. The report also noted that An Post and the credit unions are the best possible channel for reaching the target cohorts but pointed out that barriers of existing infrastructure had prohibited this to date.

The financial inclusion working group, which is chaired by the Department of Finance, includes An Post and stakeholders from other Departments, the Central Bank, retail banks, the National Consumer Agency and voluntary sector organisations. The members of the group will work closely together on the finalisation of preparations for the standard bank account, which is expected to be rolled out during 2014.

The role of An Post is one of the issues which will be dealt with in the preparations for the roll-out of the standard bank account. The Deputy will be aware that while An Post is not part of the clearing system operated by the retail banks it none the less provides a range of banking services to those who do not have a bank account, including facilities for paying bills and operating savings accounts. An Post is also the main outlet for the State's various savings schemes, such as post office bonds and savings certificates, and the national solidarity bond. The Deputy will also be aware that in order to mitigate certain AIB branch closures, AIB intends to strengthen its long standing relationship with An Post and at the same time is also launching a new mobile banking service to provide certain banking services to customers in remote locations.

The mobile service will allow customers to make lodgments and withdrawals, pay bills and order foreign exchange.

AIB banking services are available in over 1,100 An Post outlets nationwide. The current services at any An Post outlet allow AIB customers to make cash lodgments for personal and business customers, avail of cash withdrawals up to a certain limit per day, pay their credit cards bills and use any of An Post's own brand services, including bill payments, postal drafts and foreign currency. In addition, AIB plans to build on this successful relationship with An Post and has arranged for additional banking facilitates to be available in over 90 selected outlets. AIB and An Post management are working together at local, regional and national level to ensure the successful launch of this enhanced service. An Post staff will be fully trained to offer this new service in advance of the branch closure dates.

I am satisfied that An Post is providing a valuable service for its customers in the financial services area. However, I am sure it can make an even greater contribution in its involvement in the financial services working group. I hope this involvement will assist in the roll-out of the standard bank account and thus expand the banking services offered by An Post, especially to those with limited access to banking services.

I ask that the report the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications launched in October 2012 also be looked at. It dealt with the future of the post office network across the country and indicated some obvious ways in which the network could be used.

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