Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's reply. My next question relates specifically to driving licences. Does the Minister not agree that a huge mistake was made in the context of the approach that was taken in respect of driving licences? Whereas people could previously apply to renew their licences via their local post offices, there are now only a handful of specific locations throughout the country at which it is possible to renew licences. As a result, it is taking ten to 16 weeks to process applications. Postmasters possess a unique skill set. Not only could this skill set be used to revitalise the post office network, it could also be used for the more import task of streamlining government. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is involved in a process of considering the centralisation of services and delivering them by electronic means. Does the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, agree there is a cohort of people who do not have access to decent broadband services or who do not possess the technological skills necessary to use such services? The post office network can facilitate this cohort by providing that vital link to its members.

While there may not be a specific saving to be made in respect of the small cohort whose members continue to use the paper-based system via their local post offices, there is a significant reduction in the supports required in respect of any national scheme - such as that, for example, which relates to the local property tax - if the system to which I refer is utilised. If the status quo continued to obtain in this regard, it would still be possible for the automated backroom service to continue to be provided on a national basis. Savings could still be delivered nationally while the service would continue to be delivered locally.

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