Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is Government policy that An Post should remain a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high-quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. The network stands well positioned to become the front-office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector for both electronic transactions as well as the more traditional over-the-counter transactions. However, it would be wrong to ignore the significant challenges posed to the future of the post office network in the current economic climate while also taking account of changes in technology and general retail behaviour. The future of the post office will only be secured by its continuing to provide services that large numbers of people and business users want to use and that are sustainable in the long term.

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Action 6 of the policy document, Supporting Public Service Reform: eGovernment 2012-2015, states: "Public Bodies will continue to push out e-payment facilities appropriate to their customers’ requirements". In line with this, the Department of Social Protection has developed its payment strategy, which lays out a roadmap for a progressive movement towards increased use of electronic channels in the disbursement of welfare payments. The progressive change to the use of electronic transfer for social welfare payments is one factor being considered in the whole-of-Government review of the scope for providing additional public services through local post offices. This process is currently under way under the auspices of the Cabinet committee on social policy. An Post is aware that this review is ongoing and engagement with the company is being undertaken when and as appropriate. I have also discussed this matter recently with the Irish Postmasters Union, which was highly receptive to exploring avenues for securing new lines of business for the network.

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