Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the likely impact on post offices of a switch of social welfare payments to non-cash methods; if he has a strategy to ensure the long-term viability of the post office network as this business gradually reduces under the policies being promoted by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. [10996/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network as set out in the programme for Government.

In regard to the contract for social welfare payments, as An Post is a commercial State body, that contract is primarily a matter for the management of An Post and its client, the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The generation of new banking and utility payment business has illustrated the strengths inherent in a nationwide post office network. These advantages, together with the continuing deployment of cost effective technology, will be used to retain the maximum amount of existing business and to win new Government and private sector business for the network.