Dáil debates

Wednesday, 21 October 2015

Topical Issue Debate

Post Office Network

1:45 pm

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I welcome the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy White, to the Chamber. It is good have the opportunity to discuss in the short term the question of the closure of a post office in a particular area and, in the macro sense, to look at the broad policy issues relating to the future of our post office service.

As we all know, post offices have played a vital role in the quality of life in urban and rural areas. They are an integral part of the community. Thankfully, they are still in operation throughout Ireland.

The programme for Government includes a clear statement to the effect that the post office network will be maintained and the Government would seek to enhance the service and add new uses and new areas of business. Of course, as a semi-State company An Post can conduct its own business and look for contracts from the public and private sectors. All this, along with State support, has resulted in only a relatively small number of closures since the Government came to office compared with the large number closed under the previous Administration - at least seven or eight times the figure under the current Administration. I would be delighted if the Minister would provide me with the up-to-date figures on what has been closed during the four and half years we have been in government as well as what was closed in a similar period under the previous Administration.

The particular issue we are addressing is the Cabra post office on Fassaugh Road, Dublin. Tonight, the postmaster will hold a public meeting. He has put up posters throughout the Cabra area calling on people to come along and campaign against the closure of his post office.

I am not aware that the post office will be closed or whether there are any plans to close it, but I would like to hear from the Minister its exact status and whether people have any cause for concern, given that the postmaster, in the public notices he has put up the length and breadth of Cabra, has clearly indicated there is such cause. What proposals, if any, are in place for the closure of post offices between now and spring 2016 when the election is due?

1:55 pm

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I welcome the opportunity to clarify for the Deputy the position regarding post offices in the Cabra area of Dublin 7. The operation of the post office network, including the opening or closing of post offices, is a day-to-day operational matter for the board and management of An Post and not one in which I have a function. I had inquiries made with An Post and I have been informed that the company does not have plans to close any post office in the Cabra area. I hope that addresses and allays the Deputy's concerns.

It is clear from the interest shown by the Deputy, and indeed by all sides of the House on previous occasions, that the post office network and its future is one that resonates with us all. It is true to say that the postal sector is undergoing systemic change, with migration towards electronic communications resulting in significant core mail volume decline year on year. Undoubtedly, this trend places pressures on An Post and its staff. However, it is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company which is in a position to provide a high-quality postal service.

In January of this year, I appointed Bobby Kerr to chair the post office network business development group to ensure the continued viability of the nationwide network of customer-focused post offices. The post office network plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike, and the Government is committed to its retention and wants to see it thrive.

A public consultation on the initial report of the post office network business development group took place over the summer. A total of 16 responses were received. These responses, along with the initial report, were published on my Department's website. The consultation responses are assisting the business development group in identifying opportunities that can benefit the post office network and will inform the final report of the group which I expect to receive shortly.

To maintain the relevance of the post office network for future generations, it is inevitable that changes will need to be made to continue to attract customers to use the services provided by post offices in the face of increasing change in consumer behaviour and trends. It is clear that there is a strong public desire to maintain the nationwide network of post offices and I look forward to the findings of the final report of the business development group to assist in this regard.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his assurances on the Cabra post offices. I am delighted to hear that neither is threatened with closure. I will convey that information to the people concerned.

I also asked the Minister whether he had any information on the number of post offices closed during the current Administration compared with the numbers closed during the previous Administration. My information is that there have been 24 closures between 2011 and 2015 and in the four-year period of the previous Administration there were 198 closures, which is a large number. Funnily enough, I do not recollect any complaints or campaign by postmasters and postmistresses during the previous Administration. All of a sudden, they seem to have a new wind in their sails and have begun to campaign, even though hardly any post offices were closed. I imagine those that closed did so as a result of what one could call natural wastage, whereby postmasters or postmistresses retired. There have been virtually no closures during this Administration.

I am delighted we have a strong post office service for the future. It is very important to our country. I am delighted that new business is forthcoming and that there is a commitment by Departments to continue their business with post offices. Unfortunately, the mail service is changing very rapidly and the volume of that particular service is declining, but I understand strong alternative services are coming on board and an increase in business is taking place as a result.

I am delighted with what the Minister had to say about the future of post offices in Cabra. Perhaps he would clarify the overall picture on post office closures over recent years.

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I do not have the detailed figures in front of me, but from memory the figures the Deputy quoted sound correct. We can clarify the specifics and confirm that for the Dáil record at some point, if the Deputy would like me to do so.

I listened carefully to the points he raised and, as I mentioned, the closure or opening of post offices is a matter for An Post and not the Minister. I do not make those decisions; rather, they are made by An Post. Notwithstanding that, I hope, on the basis of the inquiries I have undertaken for the Deputy, that he has been reassured regarding post offices in the Cabra area.

I look forward with great interest to the final report of Bobby Kerr, which I expect to receive in the coming weeks. It will point the way towards a future for the post office network, but one that is aligned with the realities of modern life and the manner in which people conduct their communications, in which business life is carried out and the fact that people's patterns, including retail behaviour, have changed. From that point of view, Bobby Kerr is doing us all a great service in terms of this report. He has consulted very widely and it is a great opportunity for us all to point to a positive future for the post office network.