Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 241: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Government is taking steps to bring the post offices that are less than commercially viable within the ambit of the public service obligation; if An Post will be encouraged to expand its banking operations to allow for more flexibility for post office customers in the matter of savings and withdrawals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14298/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government and An Post share the objective of maintaining a viable nationwide post office network through a strategy of maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled by the network. Notwithstanding the commercial remit of An Post, the Government recognises the social benefits of maintaining the nationwide post office network. Accordingly, An Post development strategies for the network continue to take full account of these social benefits.

While this is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post, and one in which I have no direct function, I have urged An Post to develop a forward looking strategy for the post office network. That network has been the subject of a number of studies and reviews in recent years. Many of the recommendations arising from these reviews have been implemented, with particular regard to winning new business, including extra banking and new utility business.

It is widely recognised the best strategy to sustain the post office network is for An Post to continue adapting to customer needs, with a view to retaining existing customers, while also developing services to attract new customers. This strategy is already being followed with some success.