Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if examination has been carried out of the extent to which Government Departments might use the services of An Post to facilitate electronic money transmissions or other services administered through the banks or other financial institutions with particular reference to the need to maximise the extent of such business for the post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14485/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if examination has been carried out of the extent to which Government Departments might use the services of An Post to facilitate electronic money transmissions or other services administered through the banks or other financial institutions with particular reference to the need to maximise the extent of such business for the post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14716/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 139 together.

The Government and An Post are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide post office network. To ensure that this commitment continues to be honoured, there is a fundamental requirement for An Post to address certain strategic issues relating to the network.

A challenge for the company is to develop a comprehensive strategy that satisfies the needs of existing customers, while attracting new customers into the post office. An Post has already had some success in winning new business from the public and private sectors. It also continues to benefit from a considerable amount of Government business, especially in the areas of social welfare payments for the Department of Social and Family Affairs and savings products on behalf of the National Treasury Management Agency.

To ensure that our post offices remain attractive to customers, including customers of Government Departments, I am convinced that An Post's long-term strategy must satisfactorily address electronic technology issues in a comprehensive fashion. I have asked the management to develop such a strategy and in the interim, a pilot project will see ten small post offices computerised.